ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Absent Voting: Fraud

Francis Maude: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what recent estimate the Electoral Commission has made of levels of postal vote fraud.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that in its view there is no reliable means of estimating levels of postal vote fraud. There are a number of offences which may encompass postal vote fraud and cases of such fraud cannot therefore be readily distinguished from other forms of electoral malpractice.
	The Commission works closely with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, together with the prosecution services, to ensure that allegations of electoral offences are recorded and monitored.
	The Commission informs me that in September 2008 it intends to publish an analysis of allegations reported to ACPO in relation to the May 2008 elections across England and Wales. The Commission also intends to update its analysis of Crown Prosecution Service files before the end of this year. These documents will be made available on the Commission's website at
	www.electoralcommission.org.uk.

Electoral Register

Eric Pickles: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will place in the Library a copy of the new Great Britain-wide manual on registration sent to electoral registration officers by the Commission.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that a copy of "Managing electoral registration in Great Britain: guidance for Electoral Registration Officers" is available in the Library. The document may also be found on the Commission's website at:
	www.electoralcommission.org.uk

Manpower

Andrew Love: To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission how many staff are employed by the Commission in each Directorate; and how many staff are engaged in the Commission on work on the compliance with notification of political donations by hon. Members.

Peter Viggers: The Electoral Commission informs me that the number of staff employed in each directorate as at 30 June 2008, measured in full-time equivalents (FTE), was as follows:
	
		
			  Directorate  Staff in post (FTE) as at 30 June 2008 
			  Chief Executive and Directors 7.0 
			   
			  Deputy Chief Executive 36.2 
			 Legal advice and implementation of boundary review changes 7.92 
			 Commission Secretariat, strategy and Planning 5 
			 Research 3 
			 Scotland Office (Edinburgh) 6 
			 Wales Office (Cardiff) 5.81 
			 Northern Ireland Office (Belfast) 6 
			 Business Support 2.47 
			   
			  Electoral Administration and Boundaries 41.95 
			 Electoral Administration 10 
			 Performance Standards 4 
			 North of England Office (York) 3.55 
			 South of England Office (London) 3 
			 South West Office (Exeter) 3 
			 Midlands Office (Coventry) 3 
			 Boundary Reviews 11.4 
			 Business Support 4 
			   
			  Communication 28.0 
			 Public awareness campaigns 5 
			 Public inquiries 3 
			 Partnership Grants 3 
			 Publications and Websites 5 
			 Media Relations 5 
			 Parliamentary and Public Affairs 4 
			 Business Support 3 
			   
			  Finance and Corporate Services 22.5 
			 Finance 4.5 
			 Human Resources 5.5 
			 Information and Communication Technology 7 
			 Facilities and Procurement 4 
			 Business Support 1.5 
			   
			  Party and Election Finance 25.0 
			 Guidance 8 
			 Enforcement 9 
			 Business Support 8 
			  160.65 
		
	
	Within the party and election finance directorate nine staff (as at 30 June 2008) work in the enforcement function. These staff deal with the rules on notification of political donations among other duties.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Advantage West Midlands

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the capital budget for Advantage West Midlands was in each of the last two years; what it is forecast to be in the current financial year; and what capital projects were carried out by Advantage West Midlands with a value over £1 million in that period.

Patrick McFadden: The capital budget for the last two years and the forecast for 2008-09 are as follows:
	
		
			  Advantage West Midlands 
			   Capital budget  (£ million) 
			 2006-07 134 
			 2007-08 150 
			 2008-09 (forecast) 164 
		
	
	The following list gives the capital projects that were carried out by Advantage West Midlands with a value over £1 million in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
	 Project name
	ZF Lemforder UK Ltd
	Environmentally Friendly Engine (EFE)
	Mercia Technology Seed Fund 2
	Hilton Cross Phase 2 (Mercury)
	World Class Stratford the Waterfront
	DSDA - James Bridge IMI Site
	Burton - Investing in Inclusion
	The Fort Mixed Birmingham
	Fazeley Studios Digbeth
	Eastside City Park
	Franklin House Hereford
	Blueschool House Hereford
	Longbridge Nanomaterials Centre (LNC)
	icentral Wolverhampton
	Olympus Engineering
	Relocation of City College Coventry to Learning Quarter
	Property Regeneration Partnership
	Blists Hill Victorian Town Development
	Bankfield Road Wolverhampton
	Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre
	Granby Avenue (Garretts Green, Birmingham)
	St. Clements Gate -Site Clearance Castle Street
	Brierley Hill Central Core Land Remediation
	Bromsgrove Technology Park
	Coras Site
	University Centre, Burton
	Rural Broadband Access Project
	Dudley Town Centre - 254-9 Castle St
	Bilston Urban Village Phase 2
	CSW HTC ACT (UK)
	Belgrade Theatre Redevelopment
	Worcester Sixways Development
	Stoneleigh Park
	Sandwell College Spon Lane
	RRZ Enterprise Centre Network
	Advantage Early Growth Fund
	MG Rover Vocational Centre
	Hereford Learning Village
	CTB Technology Transfer Fund
	Malvern Science and Technology Park
	CSW HTC Serious Games Institute
	North Solihull Learning Village
	Lymedale Business Centre
	Golden Hillock
	Advantage Enterprise Innovation Fund
	Mercia Technology Seed Fund 1
	Advanced Sensors Innovation project
	R and D Centre for Premium Automotive Extension
	3 Elms Trading Estate, Hereford
	Royal Shakespeare Co: Redevelopment
	Keele University Science and Business Park
	Chatterley Valley Phase 1
	Malvern Hills Science Park Phase
	CSW HTC 27 The Digital Laboratory
	Energy Futures Programme - Hydrogen Energy Project
	Icknield Loop Ladywood Birmingham
	Advantage Media Production Fund
	Ansty Park Strategic 11 Site
	Longbridge
	Rotherwas Future
	Business Support Premises
	R And D Centre For Premium Automotive
	Aston Community Sports and Leisure
	NW Birmingham Corridors of Regen
	TP: Eastside Technology Park Programme
	Wobaston Road South Staffordshire
	Stoke Merged Scheme.

Dietary Supplements

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what role the Better Regulation Executive will play in monitoring consistency with the principles of good regulatory practice of the forthcoming proposed maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements under the provisions of Article 5 of the Food Supplements Directive; and whether the executive has been involved in discussions of the Working Groups of the Council of Ministers on these matters.

Patrick McFadden: The Food Standards Agency leads negotiations for the United Kingdom on this issue. It is developing the impact assessment on the setting of maximum and minimum permitted levels and will consult fully on European Commission proposals which are now expected in early 2009. The Better Regulation Executive continues to work with the agency to help them ensure the UK negotiating position is developed in line with better regulation principles.

Family Businesses

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the contribution of family businesses to the economy.

Patrick McFadden: The Department estimates that there are 3.3 million SME family businesses in the UK (74 per cent. of all SMEs), of which around 820,000 have employees. It is estimated that family businesses contribute around £860 billion in turnover and £230 billion in Gross Value Added to the UK economy (63 per cent. of the SME total contribution).
	These estimates are based on the BERR Annual Small Business Survey 2006/07, the BERR SME Statistics for the UK 2006 and ONS Annual Business Inquiry 2005.

Furniture Industry: EU Grants and Loans

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for what reasons the furniture industry was not included on the list of industries eligible to receive EU structural funds in the UK.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 7 July 2008
	The rules governing the EU structural funds for 2007-13 do not require a list of eligible industries to be produced. The UK National Strategic Reference Framework, published in October 2006, sets out the Government's priorities for the funds in accordance with the European regulations governing their operation. These address key drivers of productivity and environmental and community sustainability, with environmental sustainability and equality as cross-cutting themes.
	Within this framework, operational programmes have been drawn up for each fund by the relevant managing authorities to address their specific priorities. The programmes are available on:
	 England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF):
	http://www.erdf.communities.gov.uk/
	 North West:
	http://www.erdfnw.co.uk/
	 Yorkshire and Humber:
	http://www.yorkshire-forward.com/www/view.asp?content_id=7662&parent_id=17
	 North East:
	http://www.onenortheast.co.uk/page/erdf/index.cfm
	 West Midlands:
	http://www.advantagewm.co.uk/working-with-us/eu-structural-funds.aspx
	 East Midlands:
	http://www.eastmidlandserdf.org.uk/
	 East of England:
	http://www.eeda.org.uk/erdf_3657.asp
	 South West:
	http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/what-we-do/policy/european-prog/european-programmes.shtm
	 London:
	http://www.lda.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001001003001
	 South East:
	http://www.seeda.co.uk/work_in_the_region/european_initiatives/european_regional_development_fund/South_East_ERDF_Competitiveness_Programme/index.asp
	 England European Social Fund:
	http://www.esf.gov.uk/
	 Scotland:
	http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/support/17404/StructuralFunds2007-201
	 Lowlands and Uplands:
	http://www.esep.co.uk/
	 Highlands and Islands:
	http://www.hipp.org.uk/new/
	 Wales:
	http://www.wefo.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?Lang=en
	 Northern Ireland:
	http://www.dfpni.gov.uk/european-funding

Minimum Wage: Publicity

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the budget for the Minimum Wage bus campaign is.

Patrick McFadden: The cost of the nine week national minimum wage outreach bus campaign was £249,000.

Minimum Wage: Publicity

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will list the  (a) location and  (b) date of each visit made by the Minimum Wage bus.

Patrick McFadden: The national minimum wage bus tour began on 9 January 2008 and ended on 9 March 2008. Locations visited during the nine week tour are as follows:
	
		
			   Locations visited 
			 9 January 2008 Walthamstow, Tower Hamlets, Hackney 
			 10 January 2008 Stratford, East Ham 
			 11 January 2008 Lewisham 
			 12 January 2008 Peckham 
			 16 January 2008 Erdington, Perry Barr, Oldbury 
			 17 January 2008 Birmingham 
			 18 January 2008 Small Heath 
			 19 January 2008 Birmingham City Centre 
			 23 January 2008 Blackburn 
			 24 January 2008 Salford, Longsight, Wythenshaw 
			 25 January 2008 Eccles, Harpurhey, Withington 
			 26 January 2008 Manchester City Centre 
			 30 January 2008 Nottingham 
			 31 January 2008 Sutton in Ashfield, Mansfield 
			 1 February 2008 Coventry 
			 2 February 2008 Nottingham 
			 6 February 2008 Barnsley 
			 7 February 2008 Bradford 
			 8 February 2008 Rotherham 
			 9 February 2008 Sheffield City Centre, Handsworth 
			 13 February 2008 Huyton 
			 14 February 2008 Speke, Toxteth 
			 15 February 2008 Kirkby, Walton 
			 16 February 2008 Liverpool City Centre 
			 18 February 2008 Newcastle City Centre 
			 19 February 2008 Washington, Killingworth 
			 20 February 2008 Easterhouse 
			 21 February 2008 Tollcross, Parkhead, Clydebank 
			 22 February 2008 Cathcart, Cambuslang 
			 23 February 2008 Glasgow City Centre 
			 27 February 2008 Fishponds, Redland, Filton 
			 28 February 2008 Bristol City Centre 
			 29 February 2008 Pontprennau, Newport, Caerphilly 
			 1 March 2008 Cardiff City Centre 
			 5 March 2008 Wood Green, Finsbury Park 
			 6 March 2008 Edmonton, Tottenham, Stoke Newington 
			 7 March 2008 Islington, Camden 
			 8 March 2008 Brent Cross, Ealing, Willesden 
			 9 March 2008 Bethnal Green

Post Offices: Closures

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which post offices in each parliamentary constituency were originally proposed for closure under the network change programme but have since been decided will not be closed; and what the reason for keeping each open is.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Hinton St. George

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate Post Office Ltd. has made of the net annual saving to it which will arise from the closure of Hinton St. George Post Office; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Regional Development Agencies: Tourism

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much the  (a) Yorkshire and Humberside  (b) North West,  (c) North East,  (d) South East and  (e) South West Regional Development Agency spent on tourism support in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: I refer my right hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt) on 25 June 2008,  Official Report, column 330W.

Regional Planning and Development: Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what funding  (a) the Core Cities Group and  (b) the Thames Gateway London Partnership will receive from the regional development agencies in 2008-09.

Patrick McFadden: The information is as follows.
	 (a) None of the regional development agencies will be providing funding to the Core Cities Group in 2008-09.
	 (b) The LDA is providing £100,000 of funding for the Thames Gateway London Partnership to stage a series of 2012 Games promotional and engagement events and activities in the 10 TGLP boroughs in 2008-09. This is part of a broader general offer made to sub regional partnerships to raise awareness of the broader benefits of the games to all of London's diverse communities.
	None of the other regional development agencies will be providing any funding to the Thames London Gateway Partnership in 2008-09.

Small Businesses

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many and what proportion of businesses are small businesses in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall,  (c) the south-west and (d) England.

Patrick McFadden: At the start of 2007, there were 19,835 VAT-registered enterprises in Cornwall, of which 2,865 were in Falmouth and Camborne, 5,415 in North Cornwall, 3,900 in South East Cornwall, 3,765 in St. Ives, and 3,885 in Truro and St. Austell. In total there were 183,420 VAT-registered enterprises in the south-west region, and 1,670,500 in England. It is estimated that the majority (98 per cent.) of these will be small (0 to 49 employees).
	Regional and national data are also available on a different basis, including estimates of businesses operating outside the VAT regime. At the start of 2005, there were 417,505 businesses in the south-west region and 99.4 per cent. (or 415,035) were small. There were a total of 3,775,015 businesses in England and 99.3 per cent. (3,747,150) were small.

Small Businesses

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small businesses there were in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) each parliamentary constituency in Cornwall,  (c) the south-west and  (d) England in each year since 1979.

Patrick McFadden: Data are available for Cornwall from 1994 onwards. In Cornwall, there were 18,360 VAT-registered enterprises in 1994, 18,040 in 1995, 17,625 in 1996, 17,545 in 1997, 17,785 in 1998, 17,905 in 1999, 18,045 in 2000, 18,220 in 2001, 18,410 in 2002, 18,695 in 2003, 19,010 in 2004, 19,195 in 2005, 19,435 in 2006 and 19,835 in 2007 (start of each year). Data for each parliamentary constituency covering the period 1994 to 2007 will be placed in the House of Commons Library. It is estimated that the majority (98 per cent.) of these VAT-registered enterprises will be small (fewer than 50 employees).
	Regional and national data are available for 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005, including estimates of businesses operating outside the VAT regime. In south-west region, there were 368,955 small businesses in 1998, 358,330 in 1999, 346,700 in 2001, 377,360 in 2003, and 415,035 in 2005. In England, there were 3,151,795 small businesses in 1998, 3,188,125 in 1999, 3,235,155 in 2001, 3,450,675 in 2003, and 3,747,150 in 2005.

Small Businesses: Postal Services

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the number of items of mail posted by  (a) large companies,  (b) domestic consumers and  (c) small and medium-sized enterprises in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of market competition in the postal service on each category of user.

Patrick McFadden: In recognition of the changes that where taking place in the postal market, which include Royal Mail letter volumes falling by 2.1 per cent. in 2006-07 followed by a 3.2 per cent. fall in the mail volumes handled by Royal Mail in 2007-08, the Secretary of State announced an Independent Review of the Postal Sector on 17 December 2007. The review is looking at the impact of competition on all consumers (and Royal Mail and other postal operators), future trends in the market and how to maintain the universal postal service. The review published its "Initial Response to Evidence" on 6 May. The review is now considering possible solutions to the issues identified in its paper and will be reporting to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State later in the year.

Temporary Employment

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what representations he has received on the law on temporary and agency workers from representatives of the recruitment industry in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: BERR officials are in regular contact with representatives of the recruitment industry and have received a number of representations on the law regarding temporary and agency workers. Most recently, BERR has received representations from the industry with regard to the recent political agreement on the EU agency workers directive.
	I have had a number of meetings with representatives from the recruitment industry. Most recently I met industry representatives at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's (REC) One In A Million Awards annual event last month where I gave the keynote speech.

Trade Unions: Elections

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what method was used to compile the list of approved suppliers of electoral management services to the trades union sector in the Trade Union Ballots and Elections (Independent Scrutineer Qualifications) Order 1993 (Amendment) Order 2002; how regularly the list is reviewed; and what plans he has to review the order.

Patrick McFadden: The list was drawn up following a public competition, where applicants were interviewed and assessed against a set of published criteria. There are no statutory time limits for reviewing the lists. The last review took place about nine years after the preceding one. We have no immediate plans to undertake a further review.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Departmental Aviation

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individual domestic air flights were undertaken within Great Britain by representatives of  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available; and at what cost.

Shaun Woodward: The following table shows the number and cost of domestic air flights within Great Britain from April 2007 to March 2008 by  (a) the Department  (b) agencies.
	
		
			   Number of flights  Total cost of flights (£) 
			 Department 120 18,644.22 
			 Agencies Nil Nil

Departmental Buildings

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much his Department spent on  (a) new capital investment and  (b) refurbishment of property in each of the last 10 years, broken down by project.

Shaun Woodward: The information is as follows:
	 (a) New Capital Investment
	There has been no expenditure by the Department, excluding its Agencies and NDPBs, on the purchase of buildings within the last 10 years.
	 (b) Refurbishment of Property
	The NIO does not record expenditure under the specific heading of refurbishment, and so to provide this information could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Sick Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much sick pay to staff in his Department cost in the last five years for which figures are available.

Shaun Woodward: The NIO maintains an occupational sick pay scheme. It is not possible to isolate these costs from other pay costs without incurring disproportionate cost.

Driving Offences: Sentencing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average sentence handed down by courts in Northern Ireland was for people convicted of motoring offences that resulted in a fatality in each of the last three years.

Paul Goggins: The following table gives the number sentenced to immediate custody and the average custodial sentence length (in months) for motoring offences causing death.
	Data cover the calendar years 2004 to 2006 (the latest available years) and are collated on the principal offence rule; so only the most serious offence with which an offender is charged is included.
	
		
			  Number sentenced to immediate custody and average custodial sentence length (in months) for motoring offences causing death 2004 - 06 
			   Number sentenced to immediate custody  Average custodial sentence length (months) 
			 2004 10 34 
			 2005 8 32 
			 2006 12 42

Fuels: Prices

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect of the rising cost of fuel on front line police services; and if he will make good any shortfall of funds allocated for fuel.

Paul Goggins: Budgets will be closely monitored in order to ensure that pressures are addressed at an early stage. The rising cost of fuel will not affect the provision of front line police services.

Morning Star

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many copies of the  Morning Star publication his Department and each of its agencies subscribes to each week; and at what cost.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office and its agencies do not subscribe to the  Morning Star publication.

Prisons: Telephones

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what tariffs apply to telephone calls made by prisoners in each prison in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: National calls are charged at a minimum fee of 10p, allowing 55 seconds, followed by 1p for every further 5.5 seconds (11p per minute) in all establishments. Calls to UK mobiles cost between 37.5 and 63p per minute depending on the time of day the call is made.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland have been prosecuted for benefit fraud on  (a) more than one occasion and  (b) more than two occasions in each of the last five years.

Paul Goggins: Data relating to prosecutions for benefit fraud in Northern Ireland are held by the Department of Social Development and information should be requested from that Department.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Members: Allowances

David Winnick: To ask the Leader of the House whether the Government will  (a) provide evidence to and  (b) co-operate with any inquiry undertaken by the Committee on Standards in Public Life into hon. Members' allowances.

Helen Goodman: The Committee on Standards in Public Life have not announced any such inquiry. The Government will consider all requests for evidence when they are received.

Members: Pay

Harry Cohen: To ask the Leader of the House how much resettlement grant would be payable to each hon. Member if he or she left the House in  (a) May 2010 and  (b) May 2014 calculated on current salary levels under the terms of (i) the current resettlement grant scheme and (ii) the resettlement grant scheme proposed by the Members Estimate Committee in recommendation 15 in its Third Report of Session 2007-08 HC 578-I.

Harriet Harman: The House agreed on 3 July 2008 to recommendation 15 of the Members Estimate Committee report (HC578). The intention is that from the general election after next the calculation of the amount of resettlement grant payable to hon. Members will alter to that set out in paragraph 252 of the report. Eligibility for the grant will remain as now.
	The maximum resettlement grant of 100 per cent. of salary is currently payable to those aged between 55 and 64 with at least 15 years continuous service in the House. From the general election after next the maximum will be payable to those aged between 50 and 54 with at least 17 years service.
	The overall change to the basis of the calculation is broadly cost neutral.
	To provide information on all individual Members on the basis requested could be done only at disproportionate cost.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Internet

Jo Swinson: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  what monitoring checks are in place to prevent search results on the parliament.uk website directing users to subscriber-only content;
	(2)  whether the parliament.uk website has been assessed to ensure that search results do not direct users to subscriber-only content.

Nick Harvey: The purpose of the parliamentary website is to inform the public of the work and role of Parliament and virtually all the material available on the site is content created by Parliament. However, in response to feedback from the public, the House also subscribes to two external services that add value for users of the site. These services provide a facility whereby members of the public can find out who their MP is by entering their postcode, obtain details of how to contact their Member, a link to their Member's website, where one is available, and a link to published biographical reference information about their Member. These services have proved very popular with over 650,000 searches carried out in 2007-08.
	On 24 June a fault was detected by a member of the public who, when searching the site, was misdirected to the supplier's subscription information page rather than to the appropriate biographical reference data. This was the result of a technical error. The supplier was notified immediately and fixed the fault. Measures have since been put in place to prevent any recurrence of this problem in the future.
	The website's search engine is configured only to index content on:
	www.parliament.uk
	and its associated sub-sites so no external content will be included in search results, other than the services described above. As a result of this incident, daily checks have been put in place to ensure that the information services on the website provided by third parties are operating correctly.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Aviation

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many individual domestic air flights were undertaken within Great Britain by representatives of his Department in the most recent year for which figures are available; and at what cost.

David Cairns: There were 546 individual domestic flights at a cost of £83,253 in 2007-08.

Departmental Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by special advisers in his Department in each of the last 10 years.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. Direct payments to special advisers were:
	
		
			   £ 
			 1999-2000 2,054 
			 2000-01 7,571 
			 2001-02 13,183 
			 2002-03 12,420 
			 2003-04 15,756 
			 2004-05 7,034 
			 2005-06 5,903 
			 2006-07 8,721 
			 2007-08 12,369

Internet

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with telecommunication service providers on the upgrading of internet services to Scottish island communities; and what recent representations his Department has made to  (a) BT and  (b) other telecommunication service providers in Scotland on this matter.

David Cairns: I have been involved in discussions with my ministerial colleagues on a number of matters concerned with digital technologies and broadband availability in Scotland; however, broadband policy is a devolved matter, and as such lies with the Scottish Executive to take forward upgrading internet services to island communities.

Public Expenditure

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the factual paper being prepared on the Barnett formula.

David Cairns: The Treasury's forthcoming Barnett formula paper will be factual in nature, reflecting experience of the operation of the Barnett formula since the formula was introduced.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Allotments

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if she will introduce measures to require local authorities to increase the provision of allotments in their areas;
	(2)  whether it is her policy to increase the overall acreage of allotments.

Iain Wright: It is the Department's policy that allotments should be provided in relation to local need.
	Section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 places a duty on local authorities (except for inner London boroughs) to provide a sufficient number of allotments where they consider that there is a demand for them in their area.
	Local authorities are best placed to determine the level of provision of allotments and all types of open space within their area, based on detailed audits and assessments of community needs in accordance with 'Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, 2002'.

Allotments

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will consider introducing measures requiring local authorities  (a) to keep figures on (i) the number of allotment sites in their areas and (ii) the length of waiting lists for an allotment and  (b) to provide an annual return to Parliament incorporating such data.

Iain Wright: Local authorities are already responsible for maintaining information about their allotment sites, including figures on the number of sites available and the length of waiting lists.
	The Secretary of State does not have any plans to ask local authorities to provide an annual return to Parliament on the number of allotments sites and the length of allotment waiting lists in their area. This would run counter to the commitment the Government have made in the 2006 Local Government White Paper, 'Strong and Prosperous Communities', to reduce the number of performance indicators against which local authorities must report to central Government under 200.
	We are however currently developing a green space database which will provide us with a more comprehensive information base on green spaces, including allotments. The green space database will be available later this month.

Allotments

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will consider initiating an allotment survey with mandatory participation on the part of local authorities.

Iain Wright: There are no plans to initiate an allotment survey.
	The Department is developing a green space database which will provide us with a more comprehensive information base on green spaces, including allotments. This will be an interactive mapping tool which will bring together several datasets and provide the opportunity for local authorities, and other users, to access and input information on quality and provision of green space, including allotments. We believe that this is a better approach for local authorities than asking for mandatory participation in a survey. The green space database will be available later this month.

Allotments

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to review the formula which determines the number of allotments which local councils are required to provide for the use of local residents.

Iain Wright: There is no precise formula to determine the number of allotments which local authorities provide for their residents. Instead, section 23 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act 1908 places a duty on local authorities (except for inner London boroughs) to provide a sufficient number of allotments where they consider that there is a demand for them in their area.
	Furthermore 'Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation, 2002' encourages local authorities to make provision for all types of open space including allotments, and undertake robust assessments of local needs and audits of existing open space and to establish standards for new provision and ascertain what is sufficient for their local area.
	Given this framework, provided by statute and guidance, we do not have any plans to review how local authorities determine the number of allotments they provide for their residents.

Council House Transfers

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households lacking  (a) one bedroom and  (b) two or more bedrooms were registered for a housing transfer in each London local authority in 2007-08.

Iain Wright: The information requested is not available. However information is available on the bedroom requirement of households on local authorities' waiting lists, excluding existing local authority tenants seeking a transfer. This information is presented in the following table.
	
		
			  Households on the housing waiting list at 1 April 2007: London 
			  Number of households 
			   Bedroom requirement of household  
			  Local authority  One  Two  Three  More than three  All households( 1) 
			 Barking and Dagenham 4,559 2,501 2,007 118 9,185 
			 Barnet 9,091 5,612 2,622 584 17,909 
			 Bexley 3,619 1,447 904 145 6,115 
			 Brent 9,289 5,535 2,634 1,151 18,609 
			 Bromley 2,438 1,118 621 250 4,427 
			 Camden 7,251 1,616 849 660 10,442 
			 City of London 1,000 207 133 4 1,344 
			 Croydon 4,809 2,784 1,594 589 9,776 
			 Ealing 10,828 5,514 3,003 1,308 20,653 
			 Enfield 3,241 1,773 1,651 319 6,986 
			 Greenwich 7,664 2,938 1,100 476 12,178 
			 Hackney 4,642 2,386 1,184 353 8,565 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,558 2,314 746 414 8,104 
			 Haringey 4,517 3,613 1,662 460 10,252 
			 Harrow 1,688 1,582 1,151 547 4,968 
			 Havering 3,155 1,569 684 72 5,480 
			 Hillingdon 4,206 2,190 1,098 551 8,045 
			 Hounslow 4,486 2,938 1,915 583 9,922 
			 Islington 6,433 2,070 619 278 10,604 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 7,086 2,232 847 177 10,342 
			 Kingston upon Thames 2,984 1,577 774 281 5,616 
			 Lambeth 8,613 3,694 1,740 448 14,495 
			 Lewisham 8,394 5,241 3,153 1,000 19,850 
			 Merton 3,269 1,439 914 263 5,885 
			 Newham 11,636 7,502 3,752 1,269 24,159 
			 Redbridge 5,193 3,748 1,960 501 11,402 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2,699 1,157 597 123 4,576 
			 Southwark 5,921 2,090 643 252 8,987 
			 Sutton 2,126 1,150 705 117 4,121 
			 Tower Hamlets 8,434 2,797 2,333 414 13,978 
			 Waltham Forest 6,056 2,577 1,039 449 10,169 
			 Wandsworth 4,603 2,532 1,087 473 8,695 
			 Westminster 4,411 2,371 983 253 8,018 
			 (1) Includes households with unspecified bedroom requirements.

East Midlands Development Agency

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much the East Midlands Development Agency has spent on internal administration and running costs in each of the financial years for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table shows how much EMDA have spent on salary and administration.
	
		
			  £000 
			   Salary costs  Other administration 
			 2002-03 5,569 5,611 
			 2003-04 6,851 6,027 
			 2004-05 7,410 6,106 
			 2005-06 9,023 6,779 
			 2006-07 10,084 6,303 
			 2007-08 11,237 6,316

Housing: Construction

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the percentage of houses built in Chorley Borough in the last two years which are  (a) affordable homes,  (b) occupied on a part rent/part buy basis and  (c) used as rented accommodation.

Iain Wright: There were 625 homes built in Chorley between 2005-06 and 2006-07, 11 per cent. of which were affordable dwellings.
	Of these 34 (49 per cent.) were part rent/part buy and 35 (51 per cent.) were rented accommodation.

Housing: Disabled

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to improve housing for families with disabled children; what meetings Ministers and officials in her Department have held with representatives from Every Disabled Child Matters on the subject; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: In 2004 the Government launched a cross-departmental review of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme. As part of the review Bristol University were commissioned to carry out an independent study of the programme and make recommendations for change.
	An immediate change as a result of the review was that means testing for children was ended in 2005. This removed the disincentive to work for parents, and ended the delay that is harmful to children's life chances and which helps to improve the health of both parents and children.
	A consultation on proposals to change the programme was carried out between January and April and 2007. Over 250 organisations fed in their views on how the programme could be improved.
	In February 2008 my Department published a Package of Changes which was laid before Parliament in April which included:
	 Maximum grant limit raised
	The DFG ceiling was increased in May to £30,000 to help an increasing number of people (particularly children) with complex disabilities which has made the current ceiling inadequate in meeting the full costs of the required adaptations. This change will help speed up delivery of cases above the current maximum, which have often suffered delays due to obtaining the extra funding from another source. An increase also addresses the increased costs of carrying out DFG work.
	 Improvements to the means test
	The means test will be changed so that working tax credit and child tax credit are disregarded as income. This change will help those working on low incomes (and in receipt of tax credits) with non disabled children. Those on council tax benefit, housing benefit and tax credits for those on low incomes are now passported through the means test process.
	 Access to garden
	Access to garden was not an explicit grant usage, and not all authorities have used DFG to provide access to gardens. The regulations changed in May to ensure that access to gardens is a specific entitlement for grant, where reasonable and practicable. This change helps raise the quality of life for all people in receipt of DFG including families with disabled children.
	 Ongoing work to modernise the programme
	Further work in the coming year will be carried out to improve the delivery of the programme with an overhaul of the means test and application form to help speed up the process. Other changes include the removal of the ring fence to increase flexibility in the provision of adaptations while continuing to ensure they are provided by retaining the mandatory nature of the grant.
	CLG will continue to work with its stakeholders in helping to modernise the Disabled Facilities Grant programme. We are interested to hear from our stakeholders including Every Disabled Child Matters as to how the programme could be made to work more efficiently as a part of this ongoing process.

Housing: Low Incomes

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the availability of affordable housing in the Peak District National Park Authority area; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to encourage increased provision of affordable housing in the Peak District National Park Authority area; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on  (a) the availability of affordable housing in the Peak District National Park Authority area and  (b) future funding for the provision of rural housing enablers; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Planning Policy Statement 3 "Housing" (PPS3) expects local planning authorities and regions to take a positive, plan-led approach to providing market and affordable housing in rural areas. In particular, it requires authorities to assess local need for affordable housing so that they can set appropriate targets for the amount of housing to be provided in their plans, including specifying the size and type of housing that, in their judgment, is likely to be required. It is the responsibility of the Peak District National Park Authority, as the local planning authority, to take this work forward.
	It is recognised that many rural communities are faced by particular challenges in relation to housing affordability and that these challenges can be emphasised in areas such as the National Parks where land supply is constrained. That is why the Prime Minister has asked the hon. Member for Truro and St. Austell (Matthew Taylor), to conduct a review on how land use and planning can better support rural business and deliver affordable housing. The hon. Member will present his review to the Minister for Housing and Planning and the Secretary of State for Rural Affairs shortly.
	In February we announced a national target for the Housing Corporation to deliver at least 10,300 affordable home completions in settlements of less than 3,000 inhabitants over the period 2008-11.
	The work done by Rural Housing Enablers is funded in a wide variety of ways across the country. The clear vision for their long-term funding has always been that it should be supported at local level by the very local authorities and Housing Associations whose rural delivery they exist to support. I am pleased to note that in many areas across the country this is happening. Ultimately however, these are decisions for local delivery agents to take in the light of local needs and circumstances.

Housing: Rural Areas

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will take steps to encourage the development of disused barns in rural areas for the purposes of residential provision, with particular reference to such barns in remote locations.

Iain Wright: The policy approach in Planning Policy Statement 3 "Housing" (PPS3) and Planning Policy Statement 7 "Sustainable Development in Rural Areas" (PPS7) allows for the conversion of disused farm buildings such as barns for housing, in certain, suitable locations. Annex A of PPS7 advises that one of the circumstances in which isolated residential development may be justified is when accommodation is required to enable agricultural, forestry and certain other full-time workers to live at, or in the immediate vicinity of, their place of work.
	Local planning authorities should include appropriate policies in their local plans which will help deliver the amount of housing they need and decide where that housing should be located. It is for them to determine individual planning applications, such as those for the development of disused barns for new housing, in accordance with their local plans, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Land Ownership

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who owns the land to the rear of number 86 Carleton Road, Great Knowley, Chorley, PR6 8TQ.

Iain Wright: Land ownership falls under the auspices of the Land Registry, who have the responsibility for registering title to land in England and Wales.
	Initial inquiries of the Land Registry in Lancashire reveal that some of the land to the rear of the property in question is registered and some is unregistered—a more specific pinpointing of the exact location would therefore have to be made by my hon. Friend.
	This request should be made directly to the Land Registry who are obliged to provide the information under the terms of their publication scheme.

Maps: Databases

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to establish a national geo-portal for spatial data held by public bodies; and whether the geo-portal will include cadastral data held by public bodies.

Iain Wright: We have no plans to establish a national geo-portal for spatial data held by public bodies.

Regional Planning and Development: Rural Areas

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to facilitate greater cohesion between community strategies and planning strategies in rural areas, with particular reference to National Park areas.

Iain Wright: In June we published revised Planning Policy Statement 12 'Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities though Local Spatial Planning' setting out policy on local development frameworks. In particular, it states that
	"spatial planning objectives for local areas, as set out in the Local Development Framework, should be aligned not only with national and regional plans, but also with the shared local priorities set out in Sustainable Community Strategies where these are consistent with national and regional policy".
	This applies to all local authorities in the country, whether they are rural (including National Parks) or urban.

Sheltered Housing

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance she has issued to local authorities on the inclusion of extra-care sheltered housing in  (a) C2 and  (b) C3 planning use categories.

Iain Wright: Local planning authorities can refer to "ODPM Circular 03/2005—Changes of Use of Buildings and Land" for guidance in relation to Class C2: Residential Institutions and Class C3: Dwelling Houses, of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended).
	It is for local planning authorities to determine to which class a particular premises belongs on the basis of fact and degree, and taking into account the particular circumstances of each case.

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has issued on the optimal size in terms of  (a) area and  (b) number of pitches of Traveller sites.

Iain Wright: The Department published 'Designing Gypsy and Traveller Sites, Good Practice Guidance' in May 2008. The guidance is not prescriptive, but includes information on the household possessions for which a pitch will need to cater, and notes the experience of site residents and managers that sites of up to 15 pitches provide a comfortable environment conducive to good management. The publication is available on the Communities and Local Government website at:
	www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/designinggypsysites.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Secondment

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what procedures his Department uses to ensure equal opportunities in relation to staff secondments to the Department.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Secondments into the civil service to promote the exchange of ideas and experience are an exception to the principle that appointments to the civil service must be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. However in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport our current secondments have been made on the basis of fair and open competition.

Religious Buildings: Grants

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many places of worship applied for Heritage Lottery Fund grants in each year since 1997; and what percentage were successful in each year.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested, as provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  HLF applications received from religious organisations  Percentage of successful applications 
			 1997-98 528 38 
			 1998-99 256 46 
			 1999-2000 377 48 
			 2000-01 358 55 
			 2001-02 363 56 
			 2002-03 877 44 
			 2003-04 1,004 62 
			 2004-05 1,061 68 
			 2005-06 1,077 61 
			 2006-07 996 63 
			 2007-08 795 61 
		
	
	These figures include capital and non-capital projects. The percentage of successful applications in later years may change slightly once assessment of 53 outstanding applications is completed.

DEFENCE

Chinook Helicopters

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Chinook Mk3 helicopters his Department plans to order in the next three years; and when such helicopters are expected to enter service.

Bob Ainsworth: We have no plans to order any additional Chinook Mk3 helicopters in the next three years. We expect the eight Chinook Mk3 helicopters, currently being modified for support helicopter use, to enter service commencing late 2009.

Departmental ICT

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether his Department's IT  (a) systems and  (b) services conform to the ISO 27001 standard.

Bob Ainsworth: I can confirm that the Ministry of Defence's IT systems and managed services are compliant with ISO 27001.
	All in-service IT systems and managed services are designed and constructed to take full account of the Department's policies and procedures for information security management which have been confirmed to be fully compliant with the controls in ISO 27001. As part of the normal departmental review of procedures, these are continually checked against existing and new controls contained in ISO 27001.

Departmental ICT

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's staff have access to the Department's IT infrastructure at home.

Bob Ainsworth: The MOD recognises the statutory right of its staff to request flexible working, which could involve authorised staff having access to MOD IT infrastructure from home. Currently, 11,316 staff have the facilities to access the IT infrastructure securely when working away from the Department. We do not have a precise number for those staff who work solely from home but the majority of these staff, who work flexibly, split their time between MOD offices, industry and home. Approximately a further 10,000 staff work externally to the Department and many are seconded to work with other organisations as liaison officers or as members of joint teams. Most of these staff do not need regular access to internal IT systems, but secure arrangements are being put in place for limited secure electronic access to employee 'self service' personnel administration systems, in some cases from their homes.

EU Defence Policy

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Force Answerable to EU (FAWEU) European military forces there are; what the title is of each; and how many British troops participate in each.

Bob Ainsworth: FAWEU stood for 'Force Answerable to the Western European Union'. All the operational aspects of the Western European Union (WEU), including its capacity to plan and conduct crisis management operations, were transferred to the EU following the establishment of the European Security and Defence Policy in 1999. The only remaining active component is the WEU Parliamentary Assembly which provides collective inter-parliamentary oversight of European defence issues.

Military Aircraft

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the average number of  (a) planned and  (b) actual flying hours for aircraft was in each year since 2001;  [Official Report, 14 May 2009, Vol. 492, c. 14MC.]
	(2)  what the average number of  (a) planned and  (b) actual flying hours for the (i) Harrier GR7, (ii) Harrier GR9, (iii) Tornado GR4, (iv) Tornado F3 and (v) Typhoon aircraft was in each year since 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: There is no requirement to hold data on average flying hours. The planned and actual flying hours for fixed wing aircraft from all three services in each year since 2001 are broken down as follows:
	
		
			Financial Year 
			2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Jaguar Planned 12,543 12,996 13,260 11,247 9,156 3,576 0 
			  Actual 11,877 12,007 11,440 10,348 7,185 3,512 (1)500 
			 Sea Harrier Planned 5,633 6,219 6,219 4,491 1,980 (2)Out of service Out of service 
			  Actual 4,843 5,563 5,347 3,506 1,404 (2)Out of service Out of service 
			 Harrier T8 Planned 925 925 925 925 463 (2)Out of service Out of service 
			  Actual 682 595 656 592 338 (2)Out of service Out of service 
			 Harrier GR7/GR9/T10/T12 Planned (3)15,282 (3)14,809 (3)15,424 (3)15,024 (3)13,890 (3)15,424 (3)14,550 
			 Harrier GR 7 Actual 12,073 12,079 10,527 11,768 11,110 13,010(4) 13,231(4) 
			 Harrier GR 9 Actual Not in service Not in service Not in service Not in Service 475 (4)— (4)— 
			 Harrier T10/T12 Actual (5)n/a (5)n/a (5)n/a 1,358 1,482 (4)— (4)— 
			 Tornado F3 Planned 24,193 23,022 26,406 22,026 18,805 17,114 13,704 
			  Actual 20,922 21,515 23,231 20,066 17,613 14,245 11,850 
			 Tornado GR1/4 Planned 26,366 (3)26,058 29,044 28,600 26,438 28,260 28,279 
			  Actual 22,497 (3)25,908 29,017 26,766 28,071 30,518 26,984 
			 Typhoon Planned Not in service 399 580 1,260 3,380 8,438 11,700 
			  Actual Not in service Not in service Not in service 345 2,160 4,713 8,518 
			 Tristar Planned 9,561 9,561 9,561 10,561 11,191 11,561 11,561 
			  Actual 10,824 10,603 8,879 8,657 7,693 8,398 9,008 
			 VC10 Planned 11,550 11,550 11,550 10,550 9,920 9,550 9,550 
			  Actual 12,345 11,413 13,145 10,773 11,814 10,452 9,670 
			 Bae 125 Planned 2,310 2,310 2,310 2,310 2,310 2,310 2,310 
			  Actual 2,403 2,526 2,553 2,414 2,393 2,391 2,636 
			 Bae 146 Planned 1,080 1,080 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 1,200 
			  Actual 1,195 1,052 791 827 1,026 1,303 1,085 
			 Hercules C1/3/4/5 Planned 36,709 37,458 37,458 34,958 34,958 34,958 34,958 
			  Actual 39,834 39,871 35,173 30,640 27,906 28,836 27,647 
			 C17A Planned 3,000 3,000 4,000 5,800 5,800 5,800 5,800 
			  Actual 3,377 5,745 5,592 5,727 6,375 7,087 6,921 
			 JetstreamT2/T3 Planned 4,675 4,675 4,875 4,875 4,875 4,875 4,875 
			  Actual 3,752 3,865 4,129 4,402 4,085 4,339 4,583 
			 Jetstream T1 Planned 5,851 5,854 5,867 (6)Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service 
			  Actual 4,678 4,862 3,667 (6)Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service 
			 Canberra T4 & PR9 Planned 1,326 1,803 1,989 1,989 1,989 Out of service(9) Out of service 
			  Actual 1,255 1,239 1,083 1,084 889 Not available(9) Out of service 
			 Islander AL1 Planned (7)n/a (7)n/a (7)n/a 2,759 2,760 2,760 2,760 
			  Actual 2,228 2,302 2,396 2,112 1,908 1,857 1,621 
			 Islander CC2 Planned 800 800 800 1,200 1,600 1,600 1,600 
			  Actual 945 890 952 908 1,563 1,609 1,519 
			 Nimrod MR2 Planned 10,689 10,580 10,580 9,980 8,000 8,000 8,000 
			  Actual 11,042 10,387 10,759 10,898 8,060 6,882 6,634 
			 Nimrod Rl Planned 1,743 1,250 1,915 1,915 1,915 1,915 1,915 
			  Actual 1,536 1,302 1,356 1,220 1,385 • 1,160 1,415 
			 Sentry AEW1 Planned 4,446 4,134 4,134 4,586 4,898 5,210 4,785 
			  Actual 5,274 6,077 3,955 3,285 3,561 3,247 3,000 
			 Sentinel R1 Planned Not in service Not in service Not in service 100 1,600 2,400 1,835 
			  Actual Not in service Not in service Not in service Not in service Not in service 16 625 
			 Dominie Planned 5,448 5,425 5,275 5,275 4,650 4,150 4,150 
			  Actual 4,353 4,445 4,593 4,199 4,048 3,527 3,283 
			 Hawk Planned 31,745 32,382 32,362 27,022 25,997 28,278 22,480 
			  Actual 26,562 27,341 29,148 25,785 25,340 24,320 22,681 
			 Tucano Planned 25,706 25,578 25,248 16,500 14,660 16,385 14,855 
			  Actual 19,892 21,389 22,154 16,166 12,608 11,970 12,939 
			 Bulldog Planned n/a (8)Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service 
			  Actual 403 (8)Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service Out of service 
			 (1) Jaguar withdrawn from service August 2007. (2) Sea Harrier and Harrier T8 was withdrawn from service in 2006. 3. Harrier planned Figures are combined for Harrier GR7,GJA9andT10/2. (4) Harrier actual Figures FY 06-07 & FY 07-08 are the combined totals for all Harrier variants GR7, GR9, T10/12. (5) Harrier T10/12 figures before FY 04-05 are no longer available. (6) Jetstream Tl was withdrawn from service in 2004-05. (7) Islander AL1 planned figures are not available before FY 2004-05. (8) Bulldog was withdrawn from service in 2002. (9) Canberra PR9 and T4 were withdrawn from service by 2006. 
		
	
	All figures included in this table relate to in-service aircraft, and does not include any pre-service flying. Figures for each helicopter type are being provided by Land Forces in the answer to PQ 216251. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), Contracted aircraft, and gliders have not been included. The Harrier figures have been collated as a combined total after FY 2005-06, and therefore it is not possible to split them into separate figures for GR7 and GR9 as the information is not held in that format.

Military Bands: Expenditure

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how much was spent on  (a) military and  (b) naval bands in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many engagements involving the recovery of costs have been undertaken by  (a) military and  (b) naval bands since 1997.

Bob Ainsworth: Officials are currently collating the information requested. I will write to the hon. Member in due course.
	 Substantive answer from Bob Ainsworth to  Andrew Murrison :
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your Parliamentary Question on 2 June 2008 (Official Report, column 688), about how much had been spent on military and naval bands in each year since 1997 and how many engagements involving the recovery of costs had been undertaken on military and naval bands for the same period.
	For total expenditure on bands, data is only available for the Army since the formation of Regional Forces (from Financial Year 2003-04) and from Financial Year 2004-05 for the Navy. It has proven to be extremely difficult to obtain data going back to 1997 as you requested due to disbandments and amalgamations over a number of years and changes to financial structures and reporting. The data held is shown in the tables below:
	
		
			  Army band expenditure 
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 2003-04 31.47 
			 2004-05 32.47 
			 2005-06 32.80 
			 2006-07 32.11 
			 2007-08 33.12 
		
	
	
		
			  Naval band expenditure 
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 2004-05 9.07 
			 2005-06 9.44 
			 2006-07 10.07 
			 2007-08 10.79 
		
	
	
		
			  RAF band expenditure 
			  Financial year  £ million 
			 1997-98 5.32 
			 1998-99 5.17 
			 1999-2000 5.07 
			 2000-01 4.93 
			 2001-02 5.26 
			 2002-03 5.57 
			 2003-04 5.93 
			 2004-05 5.88 
			 2005-06 6.00 
			 2006-07 6.16 
			 2007-08 6.67 
		
	
	For band cost recoveries, data is available dating back to 1997 in some cases. There is a caveat in that some Army bands have reported complete data back to 1997 whereas others have only been able to do so for more recent years. This, again, is due to disbandments and amalgamations. The information held is shown in the tables below and reflects Category IV engagements which are events where the organiser is charged the full commercial musician rate and the service provided as a fee-paid event:
	
		
			  Army band recovered costs 
			   Number of engagements attracting recovered costs 
			 1997 119 
			 1998 103 
			 1999 141 
			 2000 509 
			 2001 386 
			 2002 391 
			 2003 357 
			 2004 400 
			 2005 389 
			 2006 383 
			 2007 392 
		
	
	
		
			  Naval band recovered costs 
			   Number of engagements attracting recovered costs 
			 2006 2 
			 2007 3 
			 2008 2 
		
	
	
		
			  RAF  band recovered costs 
			   Number of engagements attracting recovered costs 
			 1997 74 
			 1998 67 
			 1999 43 
			 2000 40 
			 2001 51 
			 2002 40 
			 2003 35 
			 2004 28 
			 2005 17 
			 2006 31 
			 2007 34

TRANSPORT

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what IT contracts her Departments and its agencies have entered into in the last two years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A list has been placed in the Libraries of the House showing IT contracts entered into by the Department for Transport and its agencies in the last two complete financial years.

Departmental ICT

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff have access to her Department's IT infrastructure at their home.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of staff in the Department and the agencies who have access to IT infrastructure at home is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Department/agency  
			 Department for Transport (Central) 1,060 staff have remote access from encrypted departmental laptops to the DfT(C) IT infrastructure, including some at the Marine and the Rail Accident Investigation Branches. Separately, 43 staff in the Air Accident Investigation Branch have remote access to their own local IT system. 
			 Highways Agency 379 staff have a remote access token enabling them to work from mobile locations, including their home address. 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 22 staff have encrypted laptops to access DVLA desktop facilities at home. 
			 Driving Standards Agency 301 staff have access to DSA IT infrastructure at home, using agency owned equipment, over telephone lines and secure log in. 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 75 UK based staff and 15 staff at VCA overseas offices have IT access at home. 
			 Vehicle Operator Standards Agency About 1,000 staff have encrypted laptops to use away from the office including some home working. There is no dedicated fixed infrastructure at staff's homes. 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency 21 staff have access to the GCDA IT infrastructure at home. 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency 134 authorised staff have an ability to connect to the MCA IT system from home using officially sanctioned and issued devices

Departmental Manpower

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many permanent staff in  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies are classed as (i) staff without posts and (ii) part of a people action team.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The central Department and its agencies have recorded a figure of five or fewer occurrences of permanent staff (i) without posts and (ii) working as part of a people action team. In such instances our response is suppressed on grounds of confidentiality.

Departmental Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by special advisers in her Department in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport was formed in 2002 under Machinery of Government changes. The amounts claimed by special advisers as reimbursable expenses in subsequent years are as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 2003 6 
			 2004 33.60 
			 2005 184.60 
			 2006 99.80 
			 2007 47.23 
		
	
	Procedures for reimbursing staff expenses are set out in the Department's Staff Handbook, and are in line with the provisions set out in the Civil Service Management Code.

Departmental Press Subscriptions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent by her Department on subscriptions for magazines, newspapers and other publications in each of the last 24 months.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Expenditure coded as subscriptions for magazines, newspapers and other publications in accounting systems during the period June 2006 to May 2008 by the Department for Transport is recorded as:
	
		
			   £ 
			 June 2006 21,439.33 
			 July 2006 19,810.69 
			 August 2006 21,665.96 
			 September 2006 29,039.46 
			 October 2006 26,916.13 
			 November 2006 27,407.12 
			 December 2006 22,669.72 
			 January 2007 21,332.60 
			 February 2007 20,123.93 
			 March 2007 23,446.60 
			 April 2007 19,435.86 
			 May 2007 21,141.16 
			 June 2007 27,873.18 
			 July 2007 21,696.20 
			 August 2007 20,030.59 
			 September 2007 24,472.65 
			 October 2007 22,796.02 
			 November 2007 22,260.76 
			 December 2007 41,300.49 
			 January 2008 21,554.20 
			 February 2008 26,145.51 
			 March 2008 32,320.19 
			 April 2008 17,372.11 
			 May 2008 14,517.42 
			 Total 566,767.88 
		
	
	The list excludes information from the Government Car and Despatch Agency and the Driving Standards Agency which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The data used to complete the answer rely upon correct coding of expenditure by finance staff.

Departmental Reviews

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reviews of regulation  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies have conducted or commenced since July 2007; and in which areas.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Regulation is routinely reviewed as part of the policy making process, including as part of simplifying regulation or preparing to consult on policy changes. The Department for Transport (DfT) Simplification Plan published in December 2007 lists over 80 proposals to simplify regulations. Since July 2007 DfT and its agencies have launched over 70 consultations. These cover the whole range of departmental responsibilities from local transport to aviation.
	Current and closed consultations are available on the consultation page of the DfT website along with final impact assessments for policies that have an impact on business, the third sector and local government:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/
	The revised impact assessment process, introduced from November 2007, includes a requirement to carry out a post-implementation review within three years of implementation of any policy that requires an impact assessment. Since the new format was introduced we have laid 19 impact assessments in the House Library with legislation.

Departmental Television

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to what premium Sky, digital terrestrial or cable television channels  (a) her Department and  (b) each of its agencies subscribes; and at what yearly cost in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: At the Department's two main London HQ buildings CNN is received via Sky and Virgin Media (formerly NTL). Sky Sports is provided as an additional channel for Ministerial Drivers and is received via Sky. The total annual estimated cost in financial year 2007-08 was £9,357.
	The Maritime and Coastguard Agency subscribes to Sky at an annual cost in financial year 2007-08 of £775.
	No other premium television channels are taken at other Department for Transport Executive Agencies.

Departmental Wastes

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department has taken to reduce the volume of waste produced by it and sent to landfill in each of the last two years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport, including its agencies, has reported the following waste figures for the last two years.
	
		
			   Recycled  Re-u sed  Energy from w aste  Landfill  Total 
			  Waste (tonnes)  
			 2006-07 2,075.52 138.30 166.10 1,497.78 3,877.69 
			 2007-08 1,920.78 43.94 137.78 1,492.43 3,594.92 
			   
			  Waste (percentage)  
			 2006-07 53.52 3.57 4.28 38.63 100.00 
			 2007-08 53.43 1.22 3.83 41.51 100.00 
		
	
	The aforementioned information is derived from the Department for Transport Greening Operations and Sustainability returns for the period 2006-08.
	The Department for Transport has reduced the volume of waste going to landfill in each of the last two years. Total waste arisings have fallen by 19.8 per cent. since the baseline year (2004-05) of the Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate waste target. This has been as a result of the introduction of effective waste streaming programmes in the majority of the Department's main offices. Waste streaming has resulted in numerous new recycling initiatives being introduced, including CDs, plastic bottles, glass, food waste, furniture, spectacles, fluorescent tubes, cardboard, batteries, cooking oil and mobile phones. The Department has also introduced new initiatives such as duplex printing to reduce paper consumption and subsequent waste, think before you print campaigns so that only essential items are printed, and an IT re-use contract which results in old IT equipment being collected, refurbished and then externally re-used. In addition the Department has worked with its suppliers to reduce the amount of packaging associated with deliveries.

Driving Tests: Closures

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the revenue to be raised by her Department from the sale of  (a) the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) test stations and  (b) the Driving Standards Agency; and if she will place in the Library a list of the (i) VOSA test stations and (ii) DSA test centres due for closure.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 8 July 20 08
	 : The VOSA has 89 test stations, 71 of which are full-time. The current net value asset of VOSA's test stations is £98,000,000. There are currently no VOSA test stations due for closure however, I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House of 3 July 2008,  Official Report, column 62WS, that stated that the principle for VOSA's testing stations in the future would be "fewer but better". The aim is to quickly identify those sites for which there is a continuing requirement and to develop more detailed and timetabled plans for these changes by the autumn.
	The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has £600,000 profiled as a capital receipt from the sale of driving test centres to be received within the next 12 months.
	A list of the 54 driving test centres that DSA plans to close has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

East Coast Railway Line

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she next plans to meet Network Rail to discuss the performance of the  (a) track and  (b) trains on the East Coast Main Line.

Tom Harris: Officials in the Department for Transport meet Network Rail every four weeks to discuss rail performance and this meeting is normally chaired at ministerial level. As a key intercity route, all aspects of performance on the route are discussed.

First Great Western

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many weekends First Great Western rescheduled trains along the Gloucester to Swindon line for all or part of the weekend in  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06,  (c) 2006-07,  (d) 2007-08 and  (e) 2008.

Tom Harris: The Department for Transport does not hold this information. The hon. Member should contact First Great Western directly at the following address:
	Andrew Haines
	Chief Operating Officer
	First Great Western
	Milford House
	1 Milford Street
	Swindon
	SN1 1HL

Freight Facilities Grant

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans she has to increase the availability and accessibility of the Freight Facilities Grant to potential applicants.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department has recently announced a budget for the Freight Facilities Grant in the amount of £21 million over the next three years which should give potential applicants some assurance over the future availability of funding.
	We will also shortly be running a campaign to publicise the FFG scheme to encourage more applications. A new leaflet has been produced, which will be mailshot to potential applicants and the new Freight Best Practice contract which was awarded to Faber Maunsel on 1 July 2008, will require them to market grants direct to businesses.
	We are also looking at ways to simplify the application process—including a redesign of the application form to make it easier to use—to encourage more companies to apply for grants.

M3: Surrey

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average daily volume of traffic  (a) on the M3 motorway between junctions (i) 4 and 4A and (ii) 4A and 5 and  (b) entering and leaving the M3 at junctions 4, 4A and 5 was in each of the last 10 years.

Tom Harris: The following table shows the average daily volume of traffic  (a) on the M3 motorway between junctions (i) 4 and 4A and (ii) 4A and 5 in each of the last 10 years
	
		
			   J4A-4 London bound  J4-4A coast bound  J5-4A London bound  J4-5 coast bound 
			 1998 50,000 51,300 44,900 44,800 
			 1999 51,000 50,800 45,900 45,200 
			 2000 50,000 50,000 46,000 45,900 
			 2001 51,700 51,500 47,000 47,000 
			 2002 53,200 53,000 42,400 47,000 
			 2003 54,900 54,900 47,800 47,200 
			 2004 52,800 52,300 47,500 46,800 
			 2005 53,200 52,500 47,500 47,300 
			 2006 54,400 54,600 48,600 46,200 
			 2007 54,900 54,700 48,900 48,500 
		
	
	 (b) Information on traffic entering and leaving the M3 at junctions 4, 4A and 5 is only available since 2005, when automatic traffic counting sites were established. The following tables show the record of average traffic flows entering and leaving junctions 4, 4A and 5 of the M3 motorway since 2005.
	
		
			   Entering junction 4 London bound  Exiting junction 4 London bound  Entering junction 4 coast bound  Exiting junction 4 coast bound 
			 2005 17,900 12,100 10,500 15,400 
			 2006 10,600 12,100 12,100 16,400 
			 2007 13,300 10,600 8,100 16,700 
		
	
	
		
			   Entering junction 4A London bound  Exiting junction 4A London bound  Entering junction 4A coast bound  Exiting junction 4A coast bound 
			 2005 11,000 4,300 3,600 9,700 
			 2006 11,300 4,300 2,700 10,000 
			 2007 11,200 4,300 4,400 10,000 
		
	
	
		
			  Entering junction 5 London bound (Main NB 4 to 4a minus within J5) Entering junction 5 London bound Entering junction 5 coast bound (Main SB 5 - 6 minus within J5) Exiting junction 5 coast bound 
			 2005 5,600 7,600 7,900 4,900 
			 2006 5,800 7,700 11,700 4,900 
			 2007 6,000 7,800 6,300 4,900

Railways: Luton Airport

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effect on local communities of the decision to discontinue through train services from Tulse Hill and Herne Hill stations to  (a) Luton Airport and  (b) Bedford.

Tom Harris: holding answer  8 July 2008
	 : Network Rail's South London Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS), which was published in March 2008, concluded that, when the Thameslink Project is completed in December 2015, it will not be operationally robust for services from the Herne Hill direction to run north of Blackfriars.
	However, there is a great deal more to be done by way of assessments of options and modelling work before this conclusion is confirmed.

Railways: Rolling Stock

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in the development of a successor to British Rail Class 43 Power Units and associated C3 rolling stock in the last 12 months.

Tom Harris: The IEP (Intercity Express Programme) is progressing to schedule, and significant progress has been made over the last 12 months. A notice was placed in the  Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) in March 2007. From the responses, companies were selected as suitable bidders, and an invitation to tender was issued in November 2007. The bids from manufacturers in response to this invitation to tender were received last week. Detailed assessment of these bids will now be undertaken and it is hoped that the successful bidder will be announced in 2009.

Railways: Rural Areas

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the effects of reopening rural railway lines on tourism and the wider economy in rural areas;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the effect on levels of carbon dioxide emissions of reopening rural railway lines.

Tom Harris: The Government's priorities for the rail network were set out in the White Paper, Delivering a Sustainable Railway in July 2007. This recognised the economic and social benefits of regional and rural lines but did not envisage reopening any lines in the period to 2014. For this reason, the Government have not sponsored work on the benefits of reopening rural rail routes.
	The Government are aware of locally sponsored work in a number of areas and would be willing to consider reopenings when they offer good value and can be funded.
	In line with Government appraisal requirements, we would expect any work on a reopening to assess the consequent environmental impacts including the effect on carbon dioxide emissions and the wider economic impacts including impacts on tourism where appropriate.

Transport: Exhaust Emissions

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much her Department has allocated to fund the transport advice element of  (a) the green homes project and  (b) the Act on CO2 advice line for 2008-09.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department has allocated 1 million of funding in 2008-09 for the Energy Saving Trust's (EST) transport consumer advice programme (which supports advice taken from the motoring strand of the Government's ACT ON CO2 campaign). This advice is delivered via the EST advice centres and green homes project.
	The Department has separately allocated 5 million in 2008-09 for the motoring strands of the ACT ON CO2 marketing campaign, to provide drivers with tips and advice on how to reduce their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and purchase more fuel efficient new cars. This is primarily delivered via radio and TV advertising, website advice (including car rankings in association with WhatCar?), partnership marketing and, later this month, direct engagement with the public at the British Motorshow.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Council Tax

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the maximum  (a) percentage and  (b) cash deduction from a benefit payment for a failure to pay council tax is; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the average deduction made from benefits was in respect of claimants who had not paid their council tax in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: For income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance and pension credit, the prescribed amount that can be deducted for council tax arrears is 5 per cent. of the personal allowance for a single person aged 25 or over; currently 3.05.
	For contribution-based jobseeker's allowance, where if it were not in payment there would be entitlement to income-based jobseeker's allowance of at least the same rate, the prescribed amount is 5 per cent. of the personal allowance for a single person aged 25 or over; currently 3.05. Where there would not be an underlying entitlement to income-based jobseeker's allowance, the prescribed amount is one third of the appropriate age related amount, rounded down to the nearest penny.
	The average weekly deduction for council tax is in the following table.
	
		
			  Average weekly deductions for council tax from benefits as at August each year; in Great Britain 
			   
			   Income support  Pension credit  Jobseeker's allowance 
			 2002 2.69  2.70 
			 2003 2.73  2.75 
			 2004 2.78 2.78 2.79 
			 2005 2.83 2.84 2.85 
			 2006 2.89 2.88 2.90 
			 2007 2.98 2.97 2.99 
			  Notes:  1. Amounts are rounded to the nearest penny.  2. Pension credit replaced income supportminimum income guarantee on 6 October 2003.  Source:  DWP Information Directorate five per cent. sample.

Crisis Loans

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time was for decisions to be taken on crisis loan applications in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			  Crisis loan applications in Great Britain 
			   Average actual clearance time (working days) 
			 2003-04 1.3 
			 2004-05 1.3 
			 2005-06 1.4 
			 2006-07 1.5 
			 2007-08 1.7 
			  Notes: 1. The clearance time for an individual crisis loan application is measured in whole working days from the date the application is received until the date the decision is taken on whether to make a loan offer, plus, if a loan offer is made, the number of whole working days between receiving the applicant's reply to the offer and the recording of that reply. The minimum clearance time recorded for an individual crisis loan application is one working day, even if the application is cleared immediately. 2. Numbers are based on applications cleared in each year, not on applications received during that year.  Source: DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System

Debts

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to assist benefit recipients with personal debt management.

James Plaskitt: DWP advisers provide benefit recipients with impartial information and guidance, signposting customers to free face-to-face money advice (offered by Citizens Advice and other money advice organisations) where this is appropriate.
	Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) fund the face-to-face debt advice project, employing around 500 debt advisers, that is targeted at geographical areas and/or social groups both characterised by high financial exclusion. This will include benefit recipients.

Employment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the link between a productive working life and health in the formulation of policy; and what assessment he has made of the effects on public health of a mandatory retirement age.

Anne McGuire: We commissioned an independent evidence review of the links between health and work. Published in 2006, the 'Is work good for your health and well-being?' evidence review highlighted the positive links between health and work. This evidence has helped shape the Health Work and Well-being Strategy, a cross-government initiative which includes this Department, the Department of Health, the Health and Safety Executive and the health departments of the devolved administrations, which seeks to help people who have a health condition or disability remain in or quickly return to work. One result of the strategy was the commissioning of Dame Carol Black, National Director for Health and Work, to carry out a review of the health of the working age population. The review, 'Working for a healthier tomorrow' was published in March and highlighted the challenges around health and productive working lives. The Government are currently considering Dame Carol's recommendations and will respond formally in the autumn.
	There is no national mandatory retirement age. In October 2006, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations introduced a default retirement age of 65 and gave people the right to request the option of working longer. Employers do not have to use the default age of 65. They can choose a higher age, or remove their retirement age altogether. Some, including this Department, have chosen not to have a compulsory retirement age.
	Government policy is to encourage individuals to continue in employment as long as they choose to do so and are capable of meeting the requirements of their employment which will include consideration of any health issues. Research shows that the three main reasons given by older people for working after state pension age are because they enjoy their job/working; they want to improve their finances and they want to keep fit and active. Giving people the choice to work up to and beyond state pension age is critical to ensuring the economic prosperity of our society in terms of health, work and pensions.
	Our Age Positive initiative promotes to employers the business benefits of employing older people as part of a mixed age workforce and seeks to change the outmoded ageist views that some employers still have. Research indicates that generally there is no reduction in productivity in most jobs before the age of 70. Individuals are free to choose to retire where they have health concerns.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of those eligible for assistance under the Financial Assistance Scheme have received such assistance; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: As at 27 June 2008, 6,350 people are receiving payments from FAS. A further 1,001 have been assessed and will be paid as soon as they confirm their personal details.
	Of the 715 schemes currently qualified for FAS, trustees in 511 (71 per cent.) have provided information on eligible members. We continue to work urgently with trustees and administrators to obtain data on any eligible members in the remaining schemes.
	We expect that up to 160 additional schemes will became eligible once the regulations currently before Parliament come into force. We are working with trustees in these schemes to progress their qualification as quickly as possible.

Food

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how much was spent by his Department on  (a) food and  (b) food of British origin in each of the last five years;
	(2)  from which five countries of origin the greatest amount of food was procured by his Department in the last year for which figures are available; and what the  (a) cost and  (b) quantity procured was in each case.

Anne McGuire: Details of expenditure by the Department on food, and food of British origin, is only held for the last three complete years and is provided in the following table. The Department's spend on food is solely that required to provide hospitality for meetings and purchased through the Contract with Land Securities Trillium. It does not reflect local expenditure on food as the information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Information for the two years prior to 2005 and in relation to the cost and quantity of food purchased in relation to country of origin is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   million 
			   Total expenditure on food  Expenditure on food of British origin 
			 2005 0.86 0.22 
			 2006 0.91 0.26 
			 2007 1.05 0.37 
		
	
	In 2007, DEFRA published a report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by Government Departments for the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007. The report is published on the PSFPI website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/pdf/govt-food-usage.pdf.
	DEFRA proposes again to publish data by the end of 2008 on the proportion of domestically produced food used by Government Departments. This report will include the value of contracts let for food and catering contracts (including the value of food provided under the catering contracts) which should allow calculations to be made. It will not however identify countries of origin.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Voluntary Work

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what advice Jobcentre Plus officers give to jobseeker's allowance claimants on their freedom to undertake in volunteering activities whilst claiming benefits.

James Plaskitt: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 10 July 2008:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about what advice Jobcentre Plus officers give to Jobseeker's Allowance claimants on their freedom to partake in volunteering activities while claiming benefits. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Voluntary activity can play an important part in helping unemployed people keep in touch with the labour market and obtain the confidence, skills and experience that may be of benefit in terms of helping them into work. People of working age in receipt of all benefits are riot limited in how much voluntary work they do, so long as they continue to meet the usual entitlement conditions.
	Turning more specifically to Jobseeker's Allowance and customers interested in volunteering or currently participating at the time of claiming benefit, we provide information, advice and guidance on the benefits in terms of finding work; and about the special provisions in place to help facilitate participation while maintaining entitlement to benefit. For example:
	unlike the majority of jobseekers who must be immediately available for an interview and for full-time employment, people who are volunteers must be able to attend an interview at 48 hours notice and, if successful, start work within one week; and
	volunteers should neither gain nor lose financially as a result of their volunteering, so money paid to refund expenses incurred or expected to be incurred through volunteering, e.g. travel costs, meals, cost of child care, special clothing and overnight accommodation, will be disregarded for benefit purposes.
	Further information is in the leaflet 'Volunteering While Unemployed Helps Others and Can Help You', which is available through Jobcentres and is currently being updated; and the DWP publication 'A Guide to Volunteering While on Benefits', which is available at
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2006/va1-2006.pdf.
	I hope this information is helpful.

National Insurance

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1283W, on national insurance, what proportion of national insurance registrations were held by  (a) EU and  (b) non-EU nationals in each year since 1987.

James Plaskitt: Information on adult foreign national registrations and total national insurance number registrations is not produced on the same basis. It is not therefore possible to provide an exact proportion of the total number of registrations held by EU and non-EU nationals.
	For the available information on the total national insurance number registrations, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 9 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1284W.

Pay

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average level of pay of those moving off benefits into 100 per cent. commission jobs in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: I will let the hon. Member have such information as is available as soon as possible.
	 Substantive answer from James Plaskitt to Frank Field:
	The information is not available.

Social Fund

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) crisis loans,  (b) budgeting loans and  (c) community care grants have been granted by Jobcentre Plus to people in (i) each Jobcentre Plus district and (ii) each region of the UK in each month since October 2003; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The available information has been placed in the Library.

Social Fund: Manpower

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of staff that will be employed in running the Social Fund, broken down by site and scheme, in each month until December 2009; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of staff to be employed to process  (a) crisis loans,  (b) budgeting loans and  (c) community care grants in each month until December 2009, broken down by location of employment; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 10 July 2008:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your questions on what estimate he has made of the number of staff that will be employed in running the Social Fund, broken down by site and scheme, in each month until December 2009; and what estimate he has made of the number of staff to be employed to process (a) crisis loans, (b) budgeting loans and (c) community care grants in each month until December 2009, broken down by location of employment. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	It is not possible to provide site deployment information in the format requested. Future staffing levels will depend on workloads and available resources.
	At the start of this operational year we employed:
	1,100 staff on Crisis Loans,
	548 on Budgeting Loans,
	530 on Community Care Grant work,
	168 on Sure Start Maternity Grants and
	125 on Funeral Payments within Benefit Delivery Centres.
	There are approximately 200 Crisis Loans Decision Makers employed in Jobcentres in London.
	In addition we have trained and deployed an extra 185 Contact Centre staff as Crisis Loans Decision Makers and intend to train a further 460 staff before December 2008. Many of these staff are trained on more than one element of the Social Fund and in the course of a working day will work on different elements depending on that day's workload.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Social Security Benefits

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many and what proportion of claimed benefits were dealt with through  (a) benefit call centres,  (b) Jobcentre Plus offices,  (c) by home appointment,  (d) via the internet and  (e) other (i) in total and (ii) broken down by type of benefit in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of applications for each type of claimed benefit delivery were dealt with  (a) through benefit call centres,  (b) through Jobcentre Plus offices,  (c) by home appointment,  (d) over the internet and  (e) by another means in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available as we do not collect information centrally on the number or proportion of benefit claims dealt with through different channels.

Social Security Benefits: Telephone Services

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of calls to benefit delivery centres were  (a) answered by an operator,  (b) discontinued before being answered by an operator and  (c) answered by an operator within (i) one minute, (ii) five minutes and (iii) 10 minutes of calling in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 10 July 2008:
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to respond to your question on how many and what proportion of calls to benefit delivery centres were (a) answered, (b) discontinued before being answered by an operator and (c) answered by an operator within (i) one minute, (ii) five minutes and (iii) 10 minutes of calling in the latest period for which figures are available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The information you have requested is not currently available because the Management Information on telephony performance for Benefit Delivery Centres is limited. An enhanced telephone service with improved Management Information will be implemented in Benefit Delivery Centres by the end of this operational year.

Winter Fuel Payments: Overseas Residents

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 19 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 578-9W, on winter fuel payments, how much was spent on winter fuel payments to pensioners living in each country outside the UK in each year since the payment was introduced.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 28 February 2007,  Official Report, column 1414W, and on 19 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 578-79W, to the hon. Member for Kettering (Mr. Hollobone).

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Experiments: Primates

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations her Department has received on the proposal to ban the use of great apes for experimental and other scientific purposes in the proposed revision of Directive 86/609 EEC; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: We have received 110 letters from the general public asking the Government to support EU Written Declaration 40/2007, which urges the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament to use the revision of Directive 86/609/EC as an opportunity to make ending the use of apes in scientific experiments an urgent priority. Great apes have never been used as laboratory animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and in 1997 we gave a commitment that we will not allow their use in the future. This remains our position.

Antisocial Behaviour

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government have taken to encourage local communities to get involved in tackling antisocial behaviour.

Vernon Coaker: We encourage local communities to get involved in tackling antisocial behaviour by asking them to report incidents of antisocial behaviour to local agencies such as the police and local authorities. Since April 2008 there has been a neighbourhood policing team in every area. These teams are now increasing their focus on working with local communities to identify and tackle local problems together, while continuing to provide high visibility policing, reducing antisocial behaviour and the fear of crime. It is the partnership between local people and local agencies that helps make the real difference in freeing areas from problem behaviour. We also announced plans to better engage communities in the fight against crime on 18 June following the review by Louise Casey Engaging Communities in Fighting Crime. Louise Casey is taking on the role of Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Adviser and will work to improve neighbourhood policing across the country.

Antisocial Behaviour

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information she holds on the use of mosquito devices by police forces.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not hold any information on the use of mosquito dispersal devices by police forces.

Antisocial Behaviour

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of mosquito dispersal devices that have been supplied to each  (a) police force and  (b) local authority in the last 12 months; and which (i) police forces and (ii) local authorities have deployed mosquito devices in that period.

Vernon Coaker: Information on the use of mosquito dispersal devices is not collected centrally by the Home Office.

Genetics: Databases

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes have been solved using the DNA database where the perpetrators were not previously convicted persons.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 19 June 2008
	Information on the number of crimes that have been detected using DNA subject sample profiles on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) taken from persons with no previous convictions is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The NDNAD holds DNA profiles taken from persons arrested for a recordable offence but does not hold data on their criminal histories; this information is held on the Police National Computer (PNC).
	Some research information is, however, available on the number of DNA profiles taken from those arrested but not charged and from those arrested, charged but not convicted of an offence that have resulted in a DNA match, thus providing the police with an intelligence link on the possible identity of the offender and assisting in the detection of crimes. In April 2004, an amendment to the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984 came into effect which enabled the police to take and retain DNA and fingerprints from persons who had been arrested for a recordable offence. In the period April 2004 to December 2005, the retention of DNA profiles of arrested persons who had not been charged or proceeded against had resulted in matches with crime scene profiles from over 3,000 offences including 37 murders, 16 attempted murders and 90 rapes.
	In May 2001, an amendment to PACE 1984 came into effect which enabled the police to retain DNA samples taken from persons who had been charged but not convicted of an offence. In the period May 2001 to December 2005, an estimated 200,000 DNA samples taken from people charged with offences had been retained on the NDNAD, which would previously have had to be removed because of the absence of a conviction. From these, approximately 8,500 profiles of individuals have been linked with crime scene profiles, involving nearly 14,000 offences. These offences included 114 murders, 55 attempted murders, 116 rapes, 68 sexual offences, 119 aggravated burglaries and 127 of the supply of controlled drugs.

Government Departments: Data Protection

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Government databases are protected in the same manner as that designed to protect the National Identity Register.

Meg Hillier: The National Identity Register will be highly protectedto the same level as some military databases. The security protections around the Register, both technical and physical, are being designed to meet the specific requirements of the National Identity Register so cannot be compared effectively to those in place for other Government databases.
	It will also be protected by provisions in the Identity Cards Act, Official Secrets Act, Computer Misuse Act and Data Protection Act, bringing penalties, including criminal sanctions, against anyone interfering with the Register.

Human Trafficking

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when her Department expects the results of Operation Pentameter 2 to be fully analysed; and if she will publish those elements of the findings that will not prejudice or hinder the police and other law enforcement operations in human trafficking operations.

Vernon Coaker: We announced the results of Operation Pentameter 2 on 2 July. All the lessons learned, good practice identified and operational opportunities will be taken forward by the UKHTC as part of its ongoing work as a central point for the development of expertise and operational co-ordination in relation to the trafficking of human beings.

Human Trafficking: Children

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the children found during Pentameter 2 have been provided with guardians.

Vernon Coaker: None of the children found during Operation Pentameter 2 have been provided with guardians, but for the duration of the operation the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) provided an advocacy service to assist police and local authorities to ensure that the children were safeguarded and their welfare promoted.

Hunting

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department monitors levels of compliance with provisions of the Hunting Act 2004.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not monitor levels of compliance with provisions of the Hunting Act 2004 but information collected centrally indicates that in 2005 and 2006, 14 people were proceeded against in England and Wales for offences under the Hunting Act 2004.

Hunting

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether she has made an assessment of compliance with the provisions of the Hunting Act 2004 in respect of  (a) fox hunting,  (b) hare coursing and  (c) deer hunting.

Vernon Coaker: Responding to incidents of law breaking is an operational matter for Chief Officers of Police. Information collected centrally indicates that in 2005 and 2006 14 people were proceeded against in England and Wales for offences under the Hunting Act 2004.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress she has made on implementation of the recommendations of the Science and Technology Committee in its Sixth Report, Session 2005-06, on identity card technologies: scientific advice, risk and evidence (HC 1032), which were accepted by the Government, with particular reference to recommendation 10 on the establishment of an Information Communications and Technology Assurance Committee consisting of academies and industry experts.

Meg Hillier: holding answer 29 April 2008
	 The Home Office produced a response outlining the actions undertaken following recommendations from the Science and Technology Select Committee last year. This response is reproduced in the committee's final report (p. Ev15, House of Commons Science and Technology Committee: The Last Report (Thirteenth Report of Session 2006-07), HC 1108) and may be found at:
	http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmsctech/1108/1108.pdf.
	In order to make assuring the work of delivering the National Identity Scheme as effective as possible, the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) reviewed the assurance structures in place and, rather than establish a new assurance body, broadened the remit of the Independent Scheme Assurance Panel (ISAP), to include information communications and technology.
	Evidence of a robust assurance function can be seen in the 2007 annual reports of the ISAP and the Biometrics Assurance Group published on the IPS website
	http://www.ips.gov.uk/identity/publications-general.asp.

Identity Cards: Fingerprints

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are plans to use identity cards to enforce age-based restrictions on access to products and services.

Meg Hillier: The National Identity Scheme Delivery Plan published on 6 March 2008 set out our plans for issuing and the use of identity cards.
	The scheme will provide a comprehensive and secure way of recording basic personal identity information, such as date of birth, storing it and making it possible for people to be able to prove their identity when necessary. As such, the identity card can be a useful tool to help those selling age-restricted goods meet their obligations.

Immigration Controls

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what her policy is on the establishment of a common EU format for residence permits for third country nationals;
	(2)  what biometric data will be included in UK documentation under the terms of Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008 on residence permits;
	(3)  what EU  (a) legislation and  (b) proposed legislation falling within her Department's responsibilities requires personal documentation to include biometric data.

Meg Hillier: Under the UK Border Act 2007, we will be rolling out identity cards for foreign nationals from 25 November 2008, initially to some categories of those subject to immigration control who are granted limited leave to remain, including; certain types of students, spouses, civil partners and unmarried couples under the immigration rules. Over time, this card will replace existing forms of immigration documents and stamps which we currently issue to foreign nationals staying in the UK for over six months.
	Identity cards for foreign nationals will enable the UK to comply with EC regulation 380/2008 which requires residence permits to be issued in a uniform format in the form of a card that contains an embedded chip that stores biometric features of the holder. The biometric information held on the card will be the holder's photograph and two fingerprints.
	EU Regulation 2252/2004 requires the future inclusion of fingerprint biometrics in passports, and is binding on those member states who are part of the Schengen area. However the UK Government intend to match the EU standards for the introduction of fingerprint biometrics into passports to maintain the reputation and integrity of the British passport. Doing so ensures that UK passports will not be seen as second-class among other countries which could lead to increased attempts at fraud and lead to more onerous checks of UK passports abroad, causing delays and inconvenience to travellers.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Departmental Manpower: Legal Profession

Theresa May: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what the cost to the Government Equalities Office has been of legal staff working for the Office since its creation.

Barbara Follett: The Government Equalities Office was established on 12 October 2007. Since then, and up to 31 May 2008, the last billing point, the cost of legal staff has been 520,811.

Departmental Sick Leave

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what the average number of days taken as sick leave in the Government Equalities Office was in each month since its inception; and if she will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: Until the Government Equalities Office agrees its own set of terms and conditions its staff are on loan from other Departments and any detailed data on sick leave taken by them is monitored by the Human Resources sections of these Departments. The average number of working days lost to sickness in the two Departments, Communities and Local Government and Work and Pensions, from which most of GEO's staff are drawn, are 6.8 and 9.8 respectively. 71 per cent. of GEO's staff are on loan from CLG and 20 per cent from DWP.

Departmental Television

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality to what premium Sky, digital terrestrial or cable television channels the Government Equalities Office subscribes; and at what yearly cost in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Barbara Follett: The Government Equalities Office does not currently subscribe to any premium Sky digital, terrestrial or cable television channels.

Equal Pay

Theresa May: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2008,  Official Report, column 687W, on equal pay, when her Department will conduct an equal pay audit in 2008.

Barbara Follett: As I said in my answer of 10 January 2008, the Government Equalities Office will be conducting its first equal pay audit in 2008. This will be done as soon as the work to determine a single set of terms and conditions for the recently established GEO's staff members, (who have been drawn from a number of different Departments with a variety of employment terms and conditions) has been completed.

Equality: Pay

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality when she plans to bring forward proposals to address the gender pay gap.

Barbara Follett: The Government are already taking action to address the gender pay gap and, following the recommendations of the independent Women and Work Commission, this work includes:
	(i) Preventing and tackling discrimination in education, training and in the workplace;
	(ii) Supporting people in their efforts to combine work and family life, particularly caring for children or for older or disabled relatives;
	(iii) Challenging and addressing attitudes about work and learning that underestimate the ability, achievement or potential of women and girls;
	(iv) Providing the opportunities for women to get the training and qualifications they need.
	In addition, the Government plan to:
	(i) Introduce an Equality Bill during this parliament. The Bill will contain measures to allow positive action and increase transparency around pay and pay gaps;
	(ii) Extend the right to request flexible working to parents of children up to 16 years of age;
	(iii) Launch a Gender Equality Checklist to help organisations identify possible gender equality issues;
	(iv) Continue to increase the provision of extended schools and children's centres;
	(v) Give a new right to fathers to take up to 26 weeks additional paternity leave before their child's first birthday, thus helping mothers to return to work early if they wish;
	(vi) Invest an extra 5 million a year for three years in the Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiatives announced in March 2008. These provide training and support for participants to get a new job, progress their career or increase their pay.

Female Genital Mutilation

Theresa May: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps the Government  (a) are taking and  (b) plans to take to tackle female genital mutilation.

Barbara Follett: The Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 makes it an offence for UK nationals or permanent UK residents to carry out female genital mutilation (FGM) abroad, or to aid, abet, counsel or procure the carrying out of FGM abroad, even where the practice is legal. The Government's long-term approach is to educate the practising communities about the dangers of FGM and persuade them to abandon the practice. We are doing this in a number of ways, for example:
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are working to reduce the prevalence of FGM with the Inter-African Committee on Harmful Traditional Practices in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda.
	The Department of Health has funded 20,214 for an FGM prevalence study, 30,761 for the development of a FGM DVD for health professionals, and funding to the specialist organisation, the Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development (FORWARD), including core funding of 42,000 in 2005-06, 35,000 in 2006-07 and 30,000 in 2007-08.
	The Home Office will soon set up a national Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) working group of Government, statutory agencies and the third sector that will promote a partnership approach to a range of issues including FGM. It is envisaged that the group will identify and develop actions and practical tools to assist victims and potential victims.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bees: Diseases

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1324W, on bees, what steps his Department is taking to investigate bee colony losses; and how and by whom the bee colony losses are being investigated.

Jonathan R Shaw: Scientists and inspectors at the National Bee Unit (NBU) are monitoring the situation and maintain contact with experts in the USA and in Europe to learn about developments in bee colony losses.
	This year, the situation is still emerging as more inspections are completed but there have been some significant losses in the UK. If beekeepers report significant losses in England and Wales to the NBU for which there is no ready explanation (such as poor Varroa management or poor husbandry) they will be investigated as a high priority.
	The proportion of colonies so far found dead is slightly higher for 2008 than it was for the equivalent period in 2007. 90,000 of additional funds has been allocated to the NBU to expand investigations started last year under a horizon scanning project into significant losses and to meet the demand for increased inspections of bee imports consequential to the colony losses.

Bees: Diseases

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the  (a) National Bee Unit and  (b) Bee Inspectorate in (i) maintaining bee populations, (ii) managing incidents of bee diseases and (iii) preventing future outbreaks of bee diseases; and if he make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Bee Inspectorate is part of the National Bee Unit (NBU). The NBU is part of the Central Science Laboratory which in September 2006 underwent a full-scale independent audit, as required under the Government's Science Audit programme, to ensure it is delivering science of the highest quality. The audit team produced a full report for DEFRA's Chief Scientific Adviser which noted that the NBU was
	'arguably the most distinguished bee diagnostics and bee health delivery group in the world'.
	The NBU operates a statutory inspection programme for notifiable diseases and pests, and provides a comprehensive training and education programme for beekeepers to enable them to become more self-reliant in combating disease problems through improved bee husbandry. In 2007, beekeepers benefited from more than 26,000 colony inspections and an extensive programme of training, including over 600 technical events, delivered by the NBU to help them improve disease control through good apiary management.
	A contingency plan has also been developed, in consultation with stakeholders, to deal with the potential threat from exotic pests.

Bees: Diseases

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the level of threat posed to bee populations in the UK by disease; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The bee populations in the UK are subject to various threats from pests and diseases. While the incidence of the foulbrood diseases appears to be under control, thanks to beekeepers' vigilance and the inspections and training carried out by the National Bee Unit's (NBU) Bee Inspectors, Varroa continues to be a major concern. In addition,  Nosema ceranae was confirmed for the first time in the UK in 2007 and a current research project is investigating the impact this is having in the UK. The NBU also remains vigilant for the arrival of exotic pests and diseases including Tropliaelaps species and the Small Hive Beetle. These issues, and the relative priority that should be given to the various pest and disease threats, are addressed in the draft Bee Health Strategy that is currently out for public consultation.

Bees: Diseases

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what factors his Department takes into account in determining its funding allocations to bee health research.

Jonathan R Shaw: Budgets for research programmes are agreed by Ministers against DEFRA's objectives and priorities.

Bees: Research

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 5 June 2008,  Offi cial Report, column 1070W, on bees: research, what research he has commissioned to address the regulatory concerns identified in project HH0819SHB.

Jonathan R Shaw: I understand that the contractor for this project has not discussed the regulatory process for veterinary medicines with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
	Manufacturers are deterred from seeking marketing authorisations for any new veterinary medicinal products because of the comparatively small size of the bee keeping market. To address this issue, the VMD is already in negotiation with the British Beekeepers' Association on the regulation of veterinary medicines to treat bee diseases. The VMD would also welcome similar discussions with those wishing to manufacture biological control agents for bee diseases. Should further research indicate that it might be possible to market a biocontrol, it would be important to address regulatory issues at that stage.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent steps he has taken to reduce bovine tuberculosis in cattle; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 7 July 2008
	 A number of enhancements to cattle controls have been introduced in recent years including: zero tolerance for overdue TB tests (i.e. herd movement restrictions applied immediately a test becomes overdue); mandatory pre-movement testing of cattle in high risk areas; and increased use of the gamma interferon blood test. These measures increase our ability to identify infected cattle, thereby reducing the risk of disease spread. We have also been working with stakeholders to raise awareness of simple biosecurity measures to keep cattle and badgers apart. We intend to continue to work with farmers and vets to encourage a high level of compliance with these vital measures.
	On 7 July, the Secretary of State announced that DEFRA's policy will be not to issue any licences to farmers to cull badgers to prevent bovine TB and that a further 20 million will be invested towards research over the next three years in improved diagnosis of the disease and developing usable cattle and badger vaccines.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research his Department has undertaken on the use of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to identify infected badger setts; and when he estimates an effective PCR test is likely to be available.

Jonathan R Shaw: A number of diagnostic tests for the detection of  Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis) infection in badgers have been developed through DEFRA-funded research projects at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA). Currently, although a great deal of research has been, and continues to be, carried out in veterinary and medical laboratories to try to develop PCR tests that can be used for routine diagnosis, results so far have shown that the technique is not yet able to perform as well as conventional bacterial culture in the detection of  M. bovis in terms of sensitivity, specificity or reliability. Detection of  M. bovis directly from live badgers and their excretions using PCR is difficult, largely because of the low levels and intermittent nature of excretion of  M. bovis by infected animals but also because of the difficulty in extracting DNA from mycobacteria and the presence of components that slow down the PCR in clinical samples (so-called 'PCR inhibitors').
	From 2007 to 2010, 1.3 million will be invested in work to validate and optimise PCR assays that will allow discrimination between  M. bovis and other closely related species of  mycobacterium in environmental samples, including soil from badger setts.
	While it may be possible to identify areas, such as badger setts, where the organism is present, it would not be possible to identify individual animals that were infected. Nor would it be possible to establish whether the DNA detected was from  M. bovis mycobacteria that were viable and infectious. Even if a validated PCR test was available, scientific evidence shows that small scale, localised culling of animals from infected setts is likely to increase disease.

Carbon Emissions

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with Sir Nicholas Stern on the appropriate interest rate to use in calculating the costs of mitigating climate change.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA officials have had discussions with the noble Lord Stern on the approach to discounting that was used in the Stern review and on the implications of the review for broader economic appraisal in Government.
	Prior to the publication of the Stern review, DEFRA officials attended an internal meeting at which Lord Stern provided details of the approach to discounting that was used in the Stern review. Lord Stern explained how conventional discounting methodology leads to the use of lower discount rates when assessing whether or not to take global action to avoid dangerous climate change.
	Subsequent to the publication of the Stern review, DEFRA officials attended an official-level meeting with Lord Stern to discuss the implications of the Stern review for broader economic appraisal in Government. For example, the Stern review has a number of implications for the tools that are used in Government to perform cost-benefit analysisincluding the appropriate discount rate to use and the appropriate approach to use to value greenhouse gas emissions in cost-benefit analysis.

Cetaceans: Fishing Catches

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what research on cetacean bycatch is being undertaken  (a) by and  (b) on behalf of his Department;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to assess the merits of  (a) pingers and  (b) other technical measures intended to reduce cetacean bycatch.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department has implemented a comprehensive system of by-catch monitoring under the requirements of the EC Habitats Directive and under Council Regulation 812/2004. The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) produces annual reports of this research to the Department, which are published on the Department's website.
	The UK has put over 2 million from 2000 to date into researching by-catch mitigation measures and monitoring by-catch on vessels through observers, to try to identify those fisheries responsible for high levels of cetacean by-catch and mitigation measures that are effective at deterring cetaceans over the long-term and are safe and cost-effective for the industry.
	In summary, the current SMRU by-catch mitigation research project has been looking at:
	Providing updated estimates of marine mammal by-catch for all relevant fishery sectors through analysis of fleet effort data, existing by-catch rate data and through further monitoring of UK fisheries as determined under the UK's Small Cetacean by-catch Response Strategy.
	Investigating the impact of by-catch and other indirect effects of UK fisheries on marine mammal populations, and exploring ways of addressing the limits to by-catch from a management perspective.
	Exploring as many research avenues as practicable to search for ways of changing fishing gear design or fishing tactics in order to minimise marine mammal by-catch.
	The final report on this research project is currently being externally evaluated prior to publication. A new research contract on this issue has recently been agreed with SMRU.
	Acoustic deterrent devices, pingers, are required to be used in certain fisheries under Council Regulation (EC) 812/2004. The European Commission has recognised that because of deployment problems, member states should continue with trials to develop a working pinger that is safe and cost-effective for the industry and offer maximum protection to dolphins and porpoises.
	The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) has recently undertaken research on behalf of DEFRA into the effects of a new design of acoustic deterrent device (pingers) on porpoise and dolphin distribution. These 'super-pingers' are larger and therefore fewer devices are required, reducing deployment problems. We hope to have more details on the efficacy of these new pingers by spring next year.

Departmental Pay

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by special advisers in his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Property

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 23 April 2008,  Official Report, column 2060W, on departmental property, whether  (a) anyone was convicted for theft of the television and  (b) the incident was recorded on CCTV; and what steps were taken to improve security following the incident.

Jonathan R Shaw: The incident is recorded as having taken place during October 2005 and was reported to the police immediately its loss was known. However, the property was not recovered and no arrests were made.
	The plasma screen television was moved from its usual location to prevent it being damaged during the extensive refurbishment of Nobel House taking place at the time. During this refurbishment many areas of the building were only accessible by building workers. It is believed that the equipment may have been removed during rubbish disposal. Unfortunately its removal was not captured on CCTV.
	When visiting Nobel House, the police commented that the building's security arrangements in place were good. Security measures include 24-hour security guards, circle lock access/exit doors activated by photographic proximity pass, CCTV monitoring and a pass wearing policy.
	Although the police were satisfied with the security arrangements, they have been subject to continuous review since then and improvements have been made. For example, the procedures governing the removal of equipment from the building have been strengthened and guards are instructed to challenge anyone taking equipment away.

Departmental Retirement

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the standard retirement age in his Department is; and how many people worked beyond the standard retirement age in each of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: When the new age legislation came into force on 1 October 2006, the Department along with all of its agencies, changed their retirement policies for employees both below the senior civil service and those in the senior civil service. With the exception of Animal Health and the Central Science Laboratory, there is no longer a set retirement age for employees below the SCS and members of staff can work as long as they wish subject to the normal performance, conduct and attendance requirements.
	Animal Health and the Central Science Laboratory currently have a retirement age of 65. However, employees are entitled to request to work beyond 65.
	The current retirement age for members of the senior civil service is 65. If an employee wishes to stay beyond 65 they can do so, provided it has been agreed by the Permanent Secretary or the relevant agency chief executive.
	The number of staff in Animal Health and the Central Science Laboratory who were allowed to work the mandatory retirement age of 65 since 2005 is shown in the following table. No members of the senior civil service have worked beyond 65 in this period. Data for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   AH  CSL 
			 2005 0 5 
			 2006 0 5 
			 2007 6 8 
			 2008 12 8

Food Supply

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to paragraph 3.50 of the National Security Strategy of the United Kingdom, Cm 7291, whether the Government  (a) plans to increase the UK's grain production and  (b) has contingency plans in place for a significant interruption to international shipping.

Jonathan R Shaw: With the recent reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), in particular the decoupling of support from production, farmers are now free to follow market signals in terms of their planting decisions. The level of UK grain production will therefore be determined by farmers' view of the market return for their crops at the time of planting, as well as the weather. The Government's aim is to ensure that farmers can respond fully to the market, and for this reason we support the abolition in the CAP Health Check of set-aside as a supply control. We have also provided financial assistance to the Home Grown Cereals Authority to provide price risk management training to arable farmers. The evidence from the December 2007 survey of agriculture suggests farmers are responding well to the market, with wheat plantings for the 2008 harvest up by 10 per cent. and barley by 13 per cent., as compared to the previous year.
	The types of grain that we do import, typically high quality wheat for flour production or maize for animal feed, mainly come from other EU countries or from other politically stable countries. The Department for Transport (DfT) has contingency plans to respond when a particular port is out of action, but this is a matter which should be taken up with the DfT. In addition to our domestic production, a multiplicity of trading and transport options allows a flexible response when one element is disrupted.

North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms are in place for the  (a) representation of the interests and  (b) consideration of the views of the Solway Haafnetters by the North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee when making decisions affecting them.

Jonathan R Shaw: Stakeholder groups including the Solway Haafnetters are not represented on the North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee (RFERAC).
	The Environment Agency advertises regularly for applications for membership of the Environment Agency's North West RFERAC. The most recent recruitment process took place in May 2008. An application for a committee member place was not received by a Solway Haafnet licence holder at that time.
	As standard practice, the Environment Agency would take into account the interests of affected stakeholders when forming views on fisheries and other matters. When items connected with haafnetters are debated by the Committee, members are free to ask for any information to assist with their deliberations. All agendas and minutes of the North West RFERAC are available upon request.

North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the previous Chair of the North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee made a declaration of relevant interests on his appointment.

Jonathan R Shaw: James Carr was appointed by DEFRA's predecessor MAFF, to the role of chair of the North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee, in April 1997.
	As a condition of the appointment to chair, a declaration of interest statement was completed in accordance with the Environment Agency's procedure.
	James Carr's appointment ended on 30 September 2002.
	The current chair, Nicholas Marriner was appointed to the role in October 2002. He completed a declaration of interest statement in accordance with our procedures. These forms are also completed on an annual basis, and are available for inspection by the public.

North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who appointed the Chair of the North West Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee.

Jonathan R Shaw: I appointed the new chair for the north west region in May 2008. The current chair was appointed by my right hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley) in May 2002 and reappointed by my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr. Bradshaw) in February 2005.

Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons are for appointments to the Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committee not falling within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Commissioner for Public Appointments regulates ministerial appointments to the boards of certain public bodiesincluding that of the Environment Agency. The Regional Fisheries, Ecology and Recreation Advisory Committees are, however, considered sub-committees of the Environment Agency board and do not, therefore, fall within the Commissioner's remit.
	However, when making appointments to these Committees, DEFRA follows the Commissioner's 'Code of Practice' as a matter of good practice.

TREASURY

Credit Unions

David Kidney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further steps he plans to take to support the development of credit unions.

Kitty Ussher: I am delighted to say that at the credit union All Party Parliamentary Group reception I announced the Government would be introducing a Legislative Reform Order, which will remove unnecessary burdens on credit unions and help them to grow and develop with fitting legislation for the 21(st) century. We will be publishing a consultation document on the proposed changes before summer recess.

Global Carbon Finance Project

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions Ministers and officials from his Department have had with the Office of Climate Change on the Global Carbon Finance project.

Angela Eagle: The Stern Review demonstrated that the economics of climate change is an important issue for economics and finance ministries. Treasury officials therefore work closely with the Office of Climate Change and other government Departments on a range of issues around the economics and financial aspects of climate change, and continue to be involved with the development of the Office of Climate Change's Global Carbon Finance Project.

Budget Deficit

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the European Commission on the UK's budget deficit.

Kitty Ussher: The Chancellor attended the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on the 8 July, where implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact was discussed, including in the UK.

Food Prices

Si�n Simon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on the effects on the economy of global food prices.

Angela Eagle: Treasury Ministers and officials hold a wide range of discussions with international counterparts. The Treasury published analysis of the recent increases in energy and agricultural prices on 12 June, and the Government are working to deal with both the short and long-term issues relating to global food prices. For example, the June European Council agreed that it is important to continue to improve the market orientation of agriculture and thus enable EU farmers to respond better to market signals, while the Government continue to work for a balanced WTO deal.

Low Income Households

Peter Viggers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of tax paid by low income households in the last 12 months.

Tim Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the amount of tax paid by low income households in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: A single earner family with two children on half male average earnings pays no net tax in 2008-09, as tax credits and child benefit more than offset income tax and national insurance liabilities.
	In 1997-98, their net tax burden was 9.3 per cent. of gross income.
	As a result of Government reforms to the tax and benefit system since 1997, households in the poorest fifth of the population are, on average, 2,575 a year better off in 2008-09.

Co-operative Sector

Virendra Sharma: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with Ministerial colleagues on support for the co-operative sector.

Kitty Ussher: I am delighted to say that I was recently able to announce at the UK Cooperatives Congress, that the Government will be introducing a Legislative Reform Order which will remove the unnecessary burdens on the sector and help them to grow and develop with fitting legislation for the 21st century. We will be publishing a consultation document on the proposed changes before summer recess.

Vehicle Excise Duty

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on potential measures to mitigate the effects of increases in vehicle excise duty; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: The Government have received a wide-ranging number of representations in relation to the vehicle excise duty reforms announced at Budget. There are a variety of options expressed on their merit.

Tax Burden

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward proposals to reduce the tax burden on low earners and pensioners.

Jane Kennedy: On 13 May 2008, the Chancellor announced further support for low and middle-income families for 2008-09. For the current tax year, income tax personal allowances will be increased by 600 for all tax payers under 65. Around 22 million basic-rate taxpayers will benefit from this change. The Government will set out plans for future years in the 2008 pre-Budget report.

Road Hauliers

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the tax and duty regimes for UK and foreign road hauliers within the UK.

Angela Eagle: Fuel duty remains an important mechanism to encourage efficient use of fuel as the UK seeks to reduce polluting emissions, as well as providing support for the funding of essential public services.
	EU law is clear that policy measures may not inhibit the freedom of movement of goods and may not discriminate according to nationality, origin or destination of a vehicle. This of itself precludes any lump-sum tax levied specifically on entry to the UK.

Capital Gains Tax: Shares

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many individual declarations of share disposals for capital gains tax purposes were made in each of the last three most recently available tax years; and of what total value in each year.

Jane Kennedy: Estimates of the number and value of disposals by asset type are published as National Statistics on the HM Revenue and Customs at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/capital_gains/tablel4-4.pdf
	The current publication refers to 2004-05. Figures for share disposals for that and the previous two years are provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Tax year  Shares  Disposals (Thousand)   million 
			 2002-03 Listed 222 3,942 
			  Unlisted 57 8,890 
			  Total 279 12,832 
			 
			 2003-04 Listed 277 5,425 
			  Unlisted 103 9,664 
			  Total 380 15,088 
			 
			 2004-05 Listed 251 5,805 
			  Unlisted 178 13,631 
			  Total 429 19,436

Cost of Living

John Barrett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent assessment is of trends in the cost of living.

Angela Eagle: Higher inflation tends to raise the cost of living. The Treasury published its latest assessment of economic prospects in the Financial Statement and Budget Report 2008. The Budget forecast showed inflation was expected to rise in the near term, driven by global energy and food prices. Since then, further rises in crude oil and world food prices have led to higher inflation than that expected at Budget.

Cycling

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of VAT-free bicycles that have been bought by employers under the Government's Cycle to Work scheme in each year since the scheme began;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of employees who have received use of a bicycle from their employer under the Government's Cycle to Work scheme in each year since the scheme began;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the effects on revenues accruing to the Exchequer as a result of the Cycle to Work scheme, with particular reference to  (a) VAT exemptions on the purchase price of bicycles,  (b) lower income tax contributions as a result of bike-related salary sacrifices,  (c) lower national insurance contributions by employers as a result of bike-related salary sacrifices,  (d) lower national insurance contributions by employees as a result of bike-related salary sacrifices and  (e) capital allowances for bicycle purchases in each year since the scheme began;
	(4)  if he will estimate the number of employees earning the national minimum wage that have received use of a bicycle under the Cycle to Work scheme in each year since the scheme began.

Jane Kennedy: No such estimates have been made.
	Bicycles purchased by employers for use in a Cycle to Work scheme are liable to the standard rate of VAT. However, under the normal rules of VAT, the tax charged can be reclaimed by a VAT registered business to the extent that it relates to its taxable business activities.

Departmental Manpower

John Redwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the change in the number of employees in his Department and its agencies has been since July 2006.

Angela Eagle: These data have been published as at 31 March 2006, 2007 and 2008 for the Treasury and its agencies and can be found on the Treasury's website:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/departmental_reports/deptreport_index.cfm.

Energy: Conservation

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with EU counterparts on the list of energy saving materials covered by a reduced value added tax rate; whether these discussions have included proposals to amend the list; what discussions he has had on the exclusion of double glazing and low emissivity glass from the list; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The availability of VAT reduced rates is governed by the European VAT agreements, signed by successive Governments. Where reduced rates are available, these have been applied where they provide the most cost-effective and well-targeted support for the Government's objectives.
	The existing provisions of directive 2006/112/EC have allowed us to introduce a reduced rate of VAT of 5 per cent. for the installation of certain renewable energy technologies and certain energy-saving materials; there is no requirement to discuss the materials and products to which it is applied with EU counterparts. The Government have examined the possibility of applying a reduced rate to the installation of double glazing and low-emissivity glass, but legal advice has suggested that under the current terms of directive 2006/112/EC, this would be incompatible with the principle of fiscal neutrality.

Income Tax: Tax Rates and Bands

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the oral statement of 13 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 1201-02, on income tax, if he will break down the 1.1 million people affected by the removal of the 10p tax rate, who were not fully compensated by the measures announced in the statement by  (a) age,  (b) income decile,  (c) region and  (d) full or part-time employment; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 3 July 2008
	A detailed breakdown, including by age, of the 1.1 million households who were not fully compensated by the 600 increase in the personal allowance for income tax announced by the Chancellor on 13 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 1201-02, is provided in the Treasury's memorandum to the Treasury Select Committee as part of their inquiry into Budget Measures and Low Income Households.

Members: Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire dated 28 May 2008, PO Ref: 1/57888/2008, on diesel fuel.

Angela Eagle: I have done so.

Mortgages

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with mortgage lenders on the effect on the economy of levels of mortgage provision to first-time house buyers.

Kitty Ussher: I have regular discussions with the mortgage industry on a range of issues relating to the economy, and we continue to monitor economic developments closely, including the market for first-time buyers.

Poverty

Terry Rooney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to combat poverty amongst low income workers without dependent children.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 7 July 2008
	Since 1997 the Government have introduced a series of reforms to make work pay and to guarantee minimum weekly incomes for families without dependent children. By October 2008, in real terms, households without dependent children in the poorest fifth of the population will be, on average, 1,800 a year better off.
	These changes include the introduction, for the first time, of the working tax credit and a national minimum wage, which work together to provide guaranteed income in work. Since 1999, the minimum income guarantee has increased by 30 per cent. in real terms for single people aged 25 and over and in full time work.
	Tax credits also play a key role in making work pay and reducing poverty. The 1(st) tax credit threshold, the point at which tax credits start to be withdrawn, was increased by 1,200 this year.

Research and Development Tax Credit: Energy

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much funding his Department has provided through research and development tax credits for projects relating to  (a) energy generation,  (b) renewable energy generation,  (c) energy transmission and  (d) energy efficiency, broken down by region.

Angela Eagle: Claims made by companies for R and D tax credits do not include details of the type of R and D project in the claim. Therefore, information on funding provided by R and D tax credits for energy-related projects is not available.

Revenue and Customs: Buildings

John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projected savings HM Revenue and Customs plan to obtain through the sale of buildings over the next three years.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs' (HMRC) Change Programme is designed to consolidate the estate following the merger of Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise and to match the accommodation to future business needs. The overall aim of the programme is to provide better service at a lower cost to the taxpayer and although estate savings are important they are not the primary driver.
	HMRC does not plan to obtain any further savings through the sale of buildings over the next three years.
	Under the Strategic Transfer of the Estate to the Private Sector (STEPS) outsourcing deal with Mapeley STEPS Contractor Limited in April 2001, ownership of most of the properties formerly owned by Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise transferred to Mapeley.
	HMRC does not make savings as a result of the sale of a property transferred to Mapeley.

Revenue and Customs: Wales

Roger Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what savings HM Revenue and Customs plans to make through  (a) staff headcount reductions and  (b) asset disposal at its Brecon tax office in the next 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 8 July 2008
	Proposals for the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office at Government Buildings, Brecon, along with other individual locations in Wales, were published on 11 June 2008. The office is proposed for vacation, but final decisions are not expected until later this year.

Valuation Office: Standards

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Valuation Office Agency's targets for  (a) elapsed time on council tax reports,  (b) banding accuracy and  (c) rateable value loss are.

Jane Kennedy: This information is provided in the VOA forward plan available from the Library and in the listed publications on the VOA website:
	http://www.voa.gov.uk/publications/forward_plan/Forward_Plan_2008-11.pdf

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2008,  Official Report, column 440W, on tax credits to deceased claimants, if he will publish the data for the cost to the public purse of tax credits paid to deceased persons for 2006-07.

Jane Kennedy: Around 2 million was overpaid in tax credits in 2006-07, where the award ceased due to the death of an applicant.
	This can occur due to the time taken to notify HMRC of a death.

JUSTICE

Dangerous Driving: Prosecutions

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) prosecutions and  (b) convictions there have been for causing death by careless driving in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: Section 20 of the Road Safety Act 2006, which introduced the new offence of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving has not yet been implemented. The new offence will be implemented after the Sentencing Guidelines Council has published guidelines for the courts. Any information on the number of prosecutions and convictions for this offence will not be available before late 2009.

Employment Tribunals Service

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what guidance his Department has issued on whether it is appropriate for an employment tribunal to be chaired by a relative of the person who has brought the case under consideration.

Bridget Prentice: It is central to the justice system that decisions are taken by independent individuals and this is the policy for employment tribunals. Issues of conflict of interest or appearance of bias are taken into consideration when a panel is appointed.

Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act: Prosecutions

Andrew Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prosecutions have been brought under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000; how many convictions there have been for offences under the Act; what the sentences were in each case; what the donations were in each such case; how many such cases involved late declarations; and what the delay in declaration was in each such case.

Maria Eagle: The number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty and sentenced at all courts for offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA), for the years 2004 to 2006 can be viewed in the following table.
	There were no prosecutions or convictions under PPERA between 2000 and 2003.
	The data held centrally by the Ministry of Justice on court proceedings does not contain information about the circumstances behind each case, beyond the description provided in the statute under which prosecutions are brought. For example, it is not possible to identify: how many such cases involved impermissible donations; or what donations were in each case.
	The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 came into force in November 2000.
	These data are on the principal offence basis. The figures given in the table on court proceedings relate to persons for whom these offences were the principal offence for which they were dealt with. When a defendant has been found guilty of two or more offences, the offence selected is the one for which the heaviest penalty is imposed. Where the same disposal is imposed for two or more offences, the offence selected is the offence for which the statutory maximum penalty is the most severe.
	Court proceedings data for 2007 will be available in the autumn of 2008.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty and sentenced at all courts for offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in England and Wales, 2004 to 2006( 1,2,3,4,5,6) 
			  Statute  Offence description  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Sentenced 
			  2004 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Triable either way offences 2 2 2 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Summary offences 8 5 5 
			 Total  10 7 7 
			  
			  2005 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Triable either way offences 0 0 0 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Summary offences 11 10 10 
			 Total  11 10 10 
			  
			  2006 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Triable either way offences 0 2 2 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Summary offences 8 4 4 
			 Total  8 6 6 
		
	
	
		
			Sentence breakdown 
			  Statute  Offence description  Absolute discharge  Conditional discharge  Fine  Community sentence  Fully suspended sentence  Immediate custody  Otherwise dealt with 
			  2004 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Triable either way offences 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Summary offences 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 
			 Total  0 2 2 3 0 0 0 
			  
			  2005 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Triable either way offences 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Summary offences 0 2 7 1 0 0 0 
			 Total  0 2 7 1 0 0 0 
			  
			  2006 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Triable either way offences 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 
			 Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Summary offences 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 
			 Total  0 0 3 1 0 2 0 
			 (1) There were no prosecutions or convictions under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 between 2000 and 2003.  (2) These data are on the principal offence basis.  (3) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts, and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (4) The sentenced column may have different figures compared to found guilty, as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty and committed for sentence at the Crown court may be sentenced in the following year.  (5) The following sections of the Act are triable either way offences: 43(7) Failing to deliver report of auditor removal/resignation 44(4) Making false statement to auditor 54(5) Fail to provide information about donation/donor to party 54(6) Agent failing to provide information to party about donor 56(3)  Sch. 20 Registered party fail to return impermissible donation 56(3)  Sch. 20 Treasurer fail to return impermissible donation 56(3)  Sch. 20 Treasurer fait to return donation by unidentifiable donor 61(1)  Sch. 20 Enter arrangement facilitating impermissible donation 61(1)  Sch. 20 Act in furtherance of an arrangement facilitating impermissible donation 61(2)(a)  Sch. 20 Give treasurer false information about donation 61(2)(b)  Sch. 20 Withhold from treasurer false information about donation 65(4)  Sch. 20 Fail to comply with donation reports requirements 66(5)  Sch. 20 False declaration in donation report 68(5)(a)  Sch. 20 Individual donor fall to report multiple small donations 68(5)(a)  Sch. 20 Non-individual donor fail to report multiple small donations 68(5)(b)  Sch. 20 Deliver out of time/complete report declaring multiple donations 66(5)(c)  Sch. 20 Failure to declare multiple small donations 73(85)  Sch. 20 Make false declaration of campaign expenditure.  (6) The following sections of the Act are summary offences: 24(8) Political party treasurer convicted of offences 39 Making false statement to electoral commission 47(l)(a) Fail to deliver proper statement of accounts 47(l)(b) Fail to deliver statement of accounts before end of relevant period 65(3)  Sch. 20 Treasurer fail to deliver donation report within 30 days 65(3)  Sch. 20 Treasurer fail to deliver donation report within seven days.  Source:  CJEAUOffice for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice.

Prisoners Release

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many people convicted of an offence of  (a) violence and  (b) domestic violence have been released on end of custody licence from Welsh prisons;
	(2)  how many people have been released on End of Custody Licence from Welsh prisons since 27 June 2007;
	(3)  how many people convicted of offences involving domestic violence have been released on end of custody licence since 27 June 2007.

David Hanson: The following table gives the available information on numbers of prisoners by offence group, who were released under the end of custody licence (ECL) scheme from 29 June 2007 to 31 May 2008 in total, and from Welsh prisons:
	
		
			   Releases on ECL 
			  Offence categories  Total  From Welsh prisons 
			 Violence against the person 5,468 245 
			 Sexual offences 8 0 
			 Robbery 668 28 
			 Burglary 2,609 153 
			 Theft and Handling 6,563 259 
			 Fraud and Forgery 551 10 
			 Drug offences 1,218 61 
			 Motoring offences 3,529 211 
			 Other offences 7,778 427 
			 Offence not recorded 487 24 
			 Total 28,879 1,418 
		
	
	Domestic violence is not a specific offence. Offenders who commit domestic violence are charged with a generic offence of assault. It would not be possible to identify the number of prisoners convicted of domestic violence related offences without examining individual case files which would incur disproportionate cost.
	Data for all prisons are published monthly, in the statistical bulletin End of Custody Licence releases and recalls, available from the Library of the House and the Ministry of Justice website at the following address:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/endofcustodylicence.htm.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Prisons: Discipline

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many formal punishments were recorded against  (a) male and  (b) female prisoners in each prison in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: Data on punishments imposed at adjudications on prisoners found guilty of offences against prison discipline are published annually in chapter 9 of the Offender Management Caseload Statistics, available on the Ministry of Justice website at
	www.justice.gov.uk/docs/omcs2006.pdf.
	The latest available edition, giving figures for 2006, was published in December 2007.
	The number of punishments imposed on male and female prisoners in the years 2002 to 2006 is shown in the following table. Data can only be provided at a national level because robust information at establishment level is not held centrally and could not be provided without extensive manual checking of individual records, which would be at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Total number of punishments imposed on prisoners at adjudications, by gender 
			  Number of punishments  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Male 167,600 170,635 172,412 176,490 164,849 
			 Female 13,850 13,277 13,082 12,914 13,958 
			  Note:  Figures for 2002 have been estimated and rounded to the nearest 50.

Prisons: Drugs

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many random mandatory drug tests in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales were carried out on each day of the week in each year from 2000-01 to 2006-07; and how many tests carried out on  (a) Mondays and  (b) in total in each of those years gave a positive result for (i) cannabis, (ii) any opiate, (iii) heroin and (iv) methadone;
	(2)  what percentage of the population of each  (a) prison and  (b) young offender institution in England and Wales was tested each month under a random mandatory drug test in each year from 2000-01 to 2006-07;
	(3)  how many of those random mandatory drug tests carried out in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales which tested 5 per cent. of inmates monthly gave positive results for  (a) cannabis,  (b) any opiate,  (c) heroin and  (d) methadone in each year from 2000-01 to 2006-07.

David Hanson: The data requested are not available in precisely the format requested. I will therefore write to the hon. Member as soon as possible. A copy of my response will be placed in the Library of the House.

Prisons: Drugs

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the cost to the public purse of the  (a) testing process and  (b) analysis of results for random mandatory drug tests carried out in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales was in each year from 2000-01 to 2006-07.

David Hanson: Many prison officers responsible for the mandatory drug testing (MDT) process do not work exclusively on the testing of prisoners. The cost of MDT staff resources cannot be disaggregated from the overall prison running costs.
	The cost to National Offender Management Services of MDT analytical services is classified as commercial in confidence.

Terrorism: Greater London

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many of those injured in the 7/7 bombings are waiting for their compensation claims to be fully settled; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) has paid a full or interim payment to 96 per cent. of eligible people who have applied for compensation for the 7/7 bombings. As at 8 July 2008, 72 of those injured are waiting for their compensation claims to be fully settled. However, CICA have made a final offer to 18 of these cases and they are waiting to see if the offer will be accepted.
	Of the remaining 54 active cases, 37 have either received, or been offered, an interim payment. Another four have been offered final awards but have rejected the offer; four applications are currently suspended, and the remaining nine are the subject of continuing inquiries by CICA.

Tribunals: Employment

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice in what percentage of cases heard in employment tribunals did the tribunal find in favour of the  (a) appellant and  (b) respondent in the last period for which figures are available.

Bridget Prentice: 35,780 appeals were submitted to the Employment Tribunal in 2006-07. Of these, 21,816 (61 per cent.) were successful. 2,942 (8 per cent.) of appeals were dismissed and did not proceed to hearing. 11,022 appeals were unsuccessful. Appeals are classified as 'unsuccessful' for a number of reasons. Because of this the classification of 'unsuccessful' does not mean that a judgment has been made in favour of the respondent.
	In order to discover whether an unsuccessful claim at tribunal was found in favour of the respondent, manual checking of individual tribunal records would be required at disproportionate cost. However, a register of all Employment Tribunal judgments is open to inspection by any person without charge during office hours; this public register is located at the Tribunal Service office in Bury St. Edmunds.

OLYMPICS

Departmental Pilot Schemes

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many people have gone through the pre-volunteer pilot programme in each of the pilot boroughs.

Tessa Jowell: The pre-volunteer programme has now been rebranded as the Personal Best programme. The pilots in 11 London boroughs have demonstrated that long before the games take place, their inspiration is motivating those furthest away from the labour market into further volunteering, training and employment. The numbers of people that have graduated the pilot programme at borough level is as follows:
	
		
			   Numbers of people who have graduated the pilot programme 
			 Brent 40 
			 Bromley 23 
			 Greenwich 31 
			 Hackney 50 
			 Haringey 34 
			 Lambeth 42 
			 Newham 34 
			 Southwark 48 
			 Tower Hamlets 24 
			 Waltham Forest 15 
			 Westminster 39

HEALTH

Abortion: Standards

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many abortion clinics failed an inspection by the National Care Standards Commission in the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: The Healthcare Commission (HCC) has been responsible for regulating independent sector places that perform termination of pregnancy since 1 April 2004. Data are not readily available prior to this period.
	Independent health care providers regulated by the HCC are assessed for compliance with the Private and Voluntary Healthcare (England) Regulations 2001, as amended, against the national minimum standards. The degree of the provider's compliance is not measured against a pass or fail system, but where a provider is not compliant with one or more regulations, requirements can be issued by the regulator to secure improvement as a first stage in enforcement.
	In 2005-06, the first year for which data are available, 21 termination of pregnancy providers received requirements against regulations. This fell to 16 providers in 2006-07. Data for 2007-08 are still being compiled.
	The next stage of the enforcement route is to issue a regulation 51 notice where there is a breach of specific regulations. None have been issued since June 2006. Data were not collected centrally prior to this period.

Abortion: Standards

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many doctors employed in abortion clinics have been the subject of General Medical Council disciplinary proceedings since 1990;
	(2)  how many nurses employed in abortion clinics have been the subject of Royal College of Nursing disciplinary proceedings since 1990.

Dawn Primarolo: This information is not held centrally. In addition, the General Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the statutory body for the regulation of nurses and midwives, do not hold the information in the format requested.

Abortion: Standards

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards are in place to ensure that abortions performed under section 1(1)(a) of the Abortion Act 1967 take place within the 24-week time limit.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 1 July 2008,  Official Report, column 837W.

Avian Influenza

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the threat to UK health from avian influenza, with particular regard to the mutation to the human form of the virus H5N1.

Dawn Primarolo: The Scientific Advisory Group on Pandemic Influenza has undertaken an assessment of the risks of a human influenza pandemic emerging from avian H5N1 viruses and concluded that the likelihood of the current strain of H5N1 or any other specific virus strain developing pandemic potential cannot be quantified.
	Currently there is no evidence that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has acquired the ability to transmit readily from person to person and infection in humans remains associated with very close contact with sick birds.
	Overall the public health risks posed by avian influenza, in the absence of outbreaks in poultry in the United Kingdom, remain low.

Childbirth

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) elective,  (b) non-elective and  (c) emergency births have occurred outside a maternity unit in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.

Chlamydia: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were diagnosed with chlamydia in Peterborough Primary Care Trust area and its predecessor bodies in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Nationally, data in genito-urinary medicine clinics (GUM) are only collected on diagnoses made, not on the number of patients diagnosed.
	Information on the number of diagnoses of uncomplicated chlamydia infections in GUM is currently only available at strategic health authority (SHA) level. The east of England SHA includes the Peterborough Primary Care Trust (PCT).
	The total number of diagnoses of uncomplicated chlamydia infection in the east of England SHA are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Total 
			 1997 2,944 
			 1998 3,620 
			 1999 4,220 
			 2000 4,894 
			 2001 5,531 
			 2002 6,470 
			 2003 7,178 
			 2004 8,031 
			 2005 8,369 
			 2006 8,300 
			  Notes:  1. The data available from the KC60 statutory returns are for diagnoses made in GUM clinics only. Diagnoses made in other clinical settings, such as general practice, are not recorded in the KC60 dataset.  2. The information provided has been adjusted for missing clinic data.  3. Data are unavailable for 2007.  Source:  Health Protection Agency, KC60 returns 
		
	
	In addition, the National Chlamydia Screening Programme (NCSP) provides chlamydia screening to asymptomatic people aged under 25 years in England since April 2003. The following table shows the number of positive chlamydia screens among those aged 13 to 24 years who were screened for chlamydia and are resident in Peterborough PCT as part of the NCSP during the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2008.
	
		
			   Peterborough PCT 
			 2003-04 (1) 
			 2004-05 0 
			 2005-06 0 
			 2006-07 35 
			 2007-08 114 
			 All Years (1) 
			 (1 )Cell size of one to four and totals have been masked to protect deductive disclosure in accordance with office guidelines.  Notes: 1. The data from the NCSP core dataset are for positive chlamydia screens made outside of GUM clinics only and include positive screens made by the Boots pathfinder project.  2. The data available from the NCSP are the number of positive screens made and not the number of patients who tested positive.  3. The data is specific to the following years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08 since the NCSP follows the financial year.   Source:  The National Chlamydia Screening Programme Core Dataset.

Dental Services: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what proportion of individuals resident in the Peterborough Primary Care Trust area aged  (a) under 16,  (b) 16 to 60 and  (c) over 60 years of age do not have access to an NHS dentist; and if he make a statement.

Ann Keen: The information requested on individuals resident in Peterborough primary care trust area who do not have access to a national health service dentist is not held centrally.
	It is for local NHS organisations to make local arrangements to ensure patients are supported in accessing NHS dental services. Increasing access to primary care dental services year on year is now an NHS priority.

Health Services

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps the Government has taken to give  (a) patients and  (b) NHS staff more influence over the provision of health services.

Ben Bradshaw: Section 242 of the NHS Act 2006 (formerly section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001) already requires national health service organisations to involve patients and the public in the planning and provision of health services.
	This duty has been strengthened by the introduction of local involvement networks (LINks) from April 2008. Part of the role of LINks is to give all citizens the chance to say what they think about and want from their local health and care services, and to give them the chance to influence how services are planned and run. In addition, Section 234 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 requires strategic health authorities and primary care trusts to report back to their communities how they have involved and consulted users, and how such involvement has impacted on their commissioning decisions.
	Since April 2008, all patients requiring an elective referral can choose their first outpatient appointment from any hospital provider that meets NHS standards and costs. By exercising choice patients will have greater influence on the provision of health services, as providers will be incentivised to tailor services to the needs and preferences of patients.
	To help people choose their hospital provider the NHS Choices website contains easy to access comparison data on hospitals. The new Primary and Community Care Strategy commits to extending the NHS Choices service further to include more comparative information on general practitioner services and the views of local patients.
	NHS foundation trusts are also accountable to their service users, who along with members of the public and staff can become members of their local organisation. The inclusion of members and locally elected governors ensures the direct participation and influence of local communities in service provision by NHS foundation trusts.
	Finally, on 30 June 2008, the Department laid before Parliament the High Quality Care for All (CM7432), the final report of the NHS next stage review, led by Lord Darzi. This marked the culmination of a year-long process which itself has given frontline staff and patients an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future of health and healthcare at local level. High Quality Care for All set out a series of measures that the Department will now take to enable frontline staff, with the continued engagement of patients and the public, to realise those visions, and to enable patients to take greater control of their own health and healthcare. The documentwith the full list of enabling measurescan be found at:
	www.ournhs.nhs.uk.
	Alongside the report, the Government published a draft NHS Constitution for consultation, to reaffirm the enduring principles and values of the NHS, and to empower patients, the public and staff. The Constitution collects together important rights for both patients and staff, and it makes a number of pledges that reflect where the NHS should go further than the legal minimum. For example, the Constitution sets out the right for people to be involved in the planning and development of NHS services (this derives from the duty in section 242 of the NHS Act 2006), and a pledge that the NHS will strive to engage staff in decisions that affect them and the services they provide.

Health Services: Standards

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the National Clinical Audit and Patients' Outcomes Programme has to conduct an audit of dignity for patients in hospital and other care settings.

Ann Keen: The Government are committed to taking action to promote dignity in care services. In November 2006, my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Ivan Lewis) launched the first ever Dignity in Care Campaign. The campaign aims to stimulate a national debate around dignity in care and create a care system where there is zero tolerance of abuse and disrespect of older people. It is led by Government in partnership with many organisations that provide and commission care and protect the interests of those using care services and their carers.
	A scoping study for a National Clinical Audit of Dignity (Essence of care) for older people in hospital and other settings was commissioned, by the Healthcare Commission, from the Royal college of Nursing. The scope has been presented to the National Clinical Audit and Patients' Outcomes Programme and the National Clinical Audit Advisory Group, to consider whether a full audit should be commissioned.

Human Embryo Experiments

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2008,  Official Report, column 659W, on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, what account was taken of the status of pro-nuclei as non-equivalent to the nucleus of an embryonic cell in developing the provisions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 7 July 2008
	 A single cell embryo contains two pro-nuclei. One contains the nuclear Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid (DNA) from the sperm and one contains the nuclear DNA from the egg. The two pro-nuclei form the entire complement of nuclear DNA within the single cell embryo. Upon division of a single cell embryo the DNA of the pro-nuclei replicates, and following cell division the two cells each contain a single nucleus. In the Human Fertilisation and Embryology (HFE) Bill the DNA within the pro-nuclei of a single cell embryo, and DNA within the nucleus of any other cell, are given equivalence. This ensures that clauses in the HFE Bill which refer to nuclear DNA, are also referring to pro-nuclear DNA. It means that, even though a pro-nucleus and a nucleus are not scientifically equivalent, clarity is provided for the purposes of the prohibitions and licensing on the HFE Bill.

Leishmaniasis

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were diagnosed with leishmaniasis in each of the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of cases of leishmaniasis reported in each of the last 10 years for England, Wales and Northern Ireland are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Number 
			 1997 15 
			 1998 24 
			 1999 18 
			 2000 10 
			 2001 25 
			 2002 24 
			 2003 38 
			 2004 50 
			 2005 58 
			 2006 57 
		
	
	All cases of leishmaniasis diagnosed in the United Kingdom are acquired abroad. We currently do not have the vector for this disease in the UK. Data for 2007 have not yet been finalised

Lung Cancer: Health Services

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what comparative assessment he has made of  (a) outcomes from and  (b) expenditure on lung cancer services in (i) other EU countries and (ii) OECD countries; whether he has established international benchmarks for lung cancer services; what steps he is taking to improve outcomes for lung cancer patients; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: We have made no comparative assessment of outcomes from and investment in lung cancer services in other European Union and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, and no international benchmarks for lung cancer services have been set. An electronic toolkit for commissioning cancer services was launched in June 2008, which provides local benchmark information to help commissioners plan and monitor services, including lung cancer services.
	We published the Cancer Reform Strategy on 3 December 2007, copies of the strategy have already been placed in the Library. The strategy sets a clear direction for the development of cancer services In England over the next five to 10 years. It contains a wide range of measures to tackle all cancers and improve patient care, and it will transform existing cancer care from prevention and diagnosis to treatment and aftercare.

Maternity Services

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will issue guidance to South West Essex Care Trust on the provision of post-natal health checks on new-born infants up to the age of six weeks; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what guidance he has issued to primary care trusts on the provision of a post-natal check on new-born infants at six weeks after birth; what his policy on the provision of a six-week check is; what the purpose of the six-week check is; what is examined in the course of the check; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: On the 17 March 2008 the Department published guidance for the Child Health Promotion Programme, Pregnancy and the first years of life. The Child Health Promotion Programme is the early intervention and prevention public health programme that lies at the heart of our universal service for children and families. The guidance states that new born infants should have a health review at six to eight weeks.
	This Review should include:
	a comprehensive physical examination, with emphasis on eyes, heart and hips (and testes for boys)
	a record of the baby's feeding statusbreast-feeding, bottle feeding or mixed feeding; review of general progress and delivery of key messages about parenting and baby's health, including eating and activity, weaning and accident prevention, information about play and appropriate activities; and baby's weight and length should be measured and plotted, where there are concerns.
	A copy of the guidance has already been placed in the Library.
	We have no plans to issue special guidance to South West Essex care trust.

Ritalin

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were prescribed Ritalin in each of the last 30 years for which figures are available, broken down by primary care trust area.

Ivan Lewis: Information is not available to cover the timescale requested. A table has been placed in the Library, which shows an estimate of the number of prescription items of methylphenidate hydrochloride, prescribed to children for each year since 2003 broken down by primary care trust. This includes children aged 0 to 15 years and those aged 17 and 18 years in full-time education (FTE).
	Ritalin is one brand name of methylphenidate hydrochloride. The products included in the table represent all the generic and branded name variations of methylphenidate that can be used for the management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
	Data are available from May 2003 to April 2008. The information provided is based on the capture of data on every 20th prescription form and is therefore an estimate and subject to sampling errors.

Transplant Surgery

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions has a donor organ or donor tissue has been available but an intended transplant procedure not taken place as a result of insufficient intensive care facilities in NHS hospitals in the last three years.

Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Apprentices

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what his Department's responsibilities are in relation to apprenticeships; and which Minister has those responsibilities;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the written agreement between his Department and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on the policy of handling and funding of apprenticeships.

Jim Knight: There is a single apprenticeship programme. My Department and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills have shared responsibilities for apprenticeships. Significant policy decisions affecting apprenticeships for both young people and adults are taken, with my Department leading on policy affecting apprentices under age 19 and the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills leading for apprentices post-19. The responsibility for apprenticeships was outlined in the Machinery of Government: Departmental Organisation paper published last summer and available in the Library. Funding for apprenticeships is detailed in a joint grant letter to the Learning and Skills Council from both Departments. 'World-class Apprenticeships', published in January 2008, set out our plans for the expansion of apprenticeships and for the new National Apprenticeship Service. I have arranged for our agreed policy document to be placed in the Library.

Children: Day Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 10 June 2008,  Official Report, column 235-36W, how much of the 232 million from the Graduate Leader Fund dedicated to supporting settings to employ graduates will be spent on staff salaries.

Beverley Hughes: The Department does not specify what proportion of the 232 million Graduate Leader Fund, allocated to local authorities, is for graduate salaries. The Graduate Leader Fund is designed to incentivise the recruitment, employment and retention of graduates in private, voluntary and independent sector full day care settings. A condition of funding is that settings commit to employing graduate early years professionals and local authorities, in consultation with local providers, determine how to use this funding to secure that aim.

Children: Day Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2008,  Official Report, column 274W, on children: day care, how many and what proportion of local authorities have identified a shortfall in sufficiency of child care provision through the child care sufficiency assessment required by section 11 of the Childcare Act 2006.

Beverley Hughes: Child care sufficiency assessments had to be completed before the new duty on local authorities to secure sufficient child care for working parents came into force. The purpose of requiring all local authorities to undertake such assessments was to ensure that they have a better knowledge of supply, demand and the gaps between the two than had previously been the case, so that they are able to prioritise appropriately as they pursue their duty to secure sufficient child care for working parents. Every local authority will need actively to manage its child care market if it is to secure and sustain sufficient child care in both the short and the longer term.

Children: Day Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  by what means his Department monitors local authority performance in increasing the levels of qualification among childcare staff employed by local government bodies;
	(2)  pursuant to the answer of 24 June 2008,  Official Report, column 273W, on children: daycare, what evaluation mechanisms are in place to access the effectiveness of the Sure Start early years and childcare grant in increasing the level of qualifications amongst childminders.

Beverley Hughes: The Childcare and Early Years Providers Survey collects information on qualifications held by staff working in child care and early years providers, including child minders. In addition the survey collects information on qualifications that staff are working towards and details of the ownership of the provision. The time series that this survey provides allows an assessment to be made of how qualifications are changing over time.
	Data is not available at a local authority level. Data is not available on whether it is specifically the Sure Start early years and child care grant that has led to changes in qualifications.

Children's Centres: Voluntary Organisations

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1795W, on Sure Start: voluntary organisations, how many and what proportion of Sure Start children's centres were run by voluntary organisations in each year since records have been available.

Beverley Hughes: Pursuant to the answer of 16 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1795W, annual information on how many and what proportion of Sure Start children's centres are run by voluntary organisations is not collected centrally. Our Sure Start children's centres phase 3 planning and delivery guidance, issued November 2007, encourages local authorities to draw on the relevant and valuable expertise within the voluntary, private and independent sector (PVI) at an early stage about where children's centres should be located and who should run them.

Education

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will place in the Library a copy of the joint working document on 14-19 policies commissioned by his Department with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

Jim Knight: On 29 June 2007, a day after the announcement of the Machinery of Government changes by the Prime Minister, a paper entitled Machinery of Government: Departmental Organisation was placed in the Libraries of both houses and on the Cabinet Office website. This document sets out clearly the roles and responsibilities of my Department and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills-giving the DCSF the lead responsibility for the reforms and delivery of the 14-19 curriculum and qualifications. This will include: increasing participation and attainment by young people by age 19; reducing the number of 16 to 18-year-olds who are not in education, employment or and training; and raising the participation age.

Education: Assessments

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils' results were exempted from appearing in school league tables in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: There are only two circumstances in which pupil level results are excluded from final publication of key stage 2 to key stage 4 achievement and attainment tables for individual schools. All pupils are included in national level data.
	The first is when schools request for pupils, recently admitted from overseas within the last two years with little or no English, to be discounted from the figures. We accept that these pupils are unlikely to be able to show what they can do in the tests until they have improved their English language skills and are more familiar with the school curriculum in this country.
	The second is where schools have 10 or fewer pupils eligible to sit key stage 2 tests. In this situation, only 'background information' for these schools is published. In 2007 this applied to 1,149 schools for English results, 1,151 for maths results and 1,150 for science results.
	The following table gives the number of pupils in 2007 whose results have not been attributed to any particular school for each of key stages 2 to 4 because they have arrived from overseas in the last two years and have little or no English.
	
		
			   Number of overseas pupils whose results are not attributed to any one school 
			 Key stage 2 2,689 
			 Key stage 3 1,419 
			 Key stage 4 1,973 
		
	
	Further information is available only at disproportionate cost.

Education: Assessments

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many year 6 pupils were not entered for key stage two tests in 2007;
	(2)  how many year 9 pupils were not entered for key stage 3 tests in 2007;
	(3)  how many pupils who sat  (a) key stage 2 and  (b) key stage 3 tests had results which were exempted from classification in 2007.

Jim Knight: Pupil test results for both key Stage 2 and 3 are published annually in the School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables when pupils reach the end of a key stage.
	Pupils who are working below the level of the test are not entered for tests.
	Pupils who have been entered for tests, but not attained levels 2-5 for key stage 2 or levels 2-8 for key stage 3 may be placed in the following categories (other categories):
	Working at the level of the tests, but unable to access them;
	Left the school before the tests;
	Absent on day of test;
	No level awarded;
	Test paper lost;
	Mixed tier (pupil took papers of incompatible tiers in a subject);
	Result annulled due to maladministration;
	Result ineligible/disapplied.
	The following table illustrates the numbers in these two categories in 2007 for both key stage 2 and 3, by subject:
	
		
			   Pupils working below level of test  Other categories 
			  Key stage 2   
			 English 23,339 14,521 
			 Maths 19,112 19,176 
			 Science 12,608 11,183 
			
			  Key stage 3   
			 English 24,071 50,459 
			 Maths 7,356 27,007 
			 Science 7,207 30,488

Education: Film

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if the Government will bring forward legislative proposals to allow primary school teachers to show PG-rated films in class where the teacher believes the film is appropriate and of educational value, without having to secure prior parental approval; what his policy on the use of films in schools is; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: We believe that appropriate films can help to broaden pupils' minds and give insight into other cultures, people and languages. It is because of this, that over the next three years, we are providing 11.4 million to fund the roll out of Film Cluba programme which helps schools to set up film clubs and access a wide range of quality films. BBFC film classifications are provided on a statutory basis to give the public, especially parents, information on films to help them make decisions about what their children watch. The BBFC consider that a 'PG' film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parentsand those acting in loco parentisare advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children. There is no need for the legislation suggested, as there is no legal restriction on schools showing PG-rated films to pupils. Teachers are best placed to decide whether showing a film to illustrate an issue is a good way for children and young people to learn, but they must ensure that the film is suitable for all students to view. Responsible school policy may require teachers to seek the agreement of parents.

Education: International Cooperation

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps he is taking with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to promote the Government's strategy for international education.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills continue to promote the Government's strategy for international education through active participation in international organisations including the European Union, the OECD, the Council of Europe, the Commonwealth and UNESCO as well as through the development of a number of bilateral and international education programmes such as the Prime Minister's Initiative for International Education, the Prime Minister's Global Fellowship Programme, the Graduate Work Experience Programme (China and India); the International School Award and the Global Gateway; the International Leadership and Learning Programme and the Teachers' International Professional Development Programme. The Department is also working closely with DIUS to ensure that the European Skills Review, as outlined in the Prime Minister's Global Europe paper, highlights the importance of skills acquisition in the European Union, to help achieve future economic prosperity and social inclusion for EU citizens.

Education: Young Offender Institutions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many full-time  (a) special educational needs co-ordinators and  (b) learning support assistants there have been in each young offender institution since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many part-time  (a) special educational needs co-ordinators and  (b) learning support assistants there have been in each young offender institution since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what minimum qualifications are required for  (a) special needs co-ordinators and  (b) learning support assistants in young offender institutions; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Information on the numbers of special educational needs co-ordinators and learning support assistants in young offender institutions (YOIs) is not collected centrally.
	As is the case in the mainstream education sector, there are no minimum qualifications required of special educational needs co-ordinators and learning support assistants in young offender institutions. It is for the institution to decide who to employ; matching qualifications and experience held by the applicant to the individual needs of the institution and the young offenders held within it.

Sport England: Greater London

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was allocated per capita in each London local authority area by Sport England in each year since 2003.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	Sport England has advised that the amount allocated per capita in each London local authority for each year since 2003 is as follows:
	
		
			  Financial Year 2003/04 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Barnet 20,900 Lottery 329.7 0.06 
			 Bexley 1,675,000 Lottery 220.3 7.60 
			 Brent 225,211 Lottery 270.1 0.83 
			 Bromley 636,281 Lottery 301.9 2.11 
			 Camden 161,170 Lottery 226.1 0.71 
			 Croydon 145,000 Lottery 342.7 0.42 
			 Ealing 72,009 Lottery 301.8 0.24 
			 Enfield 850,000 Lottery 280.5 3.03 
			 Greenwich 129,551 Lottery 228.1 0.57 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 389,915 Lottery 179.9 2.17 
			 Haringey 569,272 Lottery 224.5 2.54 
			 Havering 188,000 Lottery 226.2 0.83 
			 Hillingdon 40,000 Lottery 252.4 0.16 
			 Hounslow 1,107,547 Lottery 212.5 5.21 
			 Islington 327,383 Lottery 182.6 1.79 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4,185 Lottery 153 0.03 
			 Lambeth 487,916 Lottery 269.1 1.81 
			 Lewisham 551,773 Lottery 247.5 2.23 
			 Newham 785,327 Lottery 246.2 3.19 
			 Southwark 3,460,676 Lottery 257.7 13.43 
			 Sutton 1,493,077 Lottery 177.7 8.40 
			 Tower Hamlets 419,895 Lottery 213.2 1.97 
			 Waltham Forest 3,509,891 Lottery 224.1 15.66 
			 Wandsworth 131,286 Lottery 281.4 0.47 
			 Westminster 5,415,523 Lottery 244.4 22.16 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2003/04 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Enfield 24,250 Exchequer 280.5 0.09 
			 Hackney 35,000 Exchequer 207.7 0.17 
			 Havering 3,333 Exchequer 226.2 0.01 
			 Southwark 29,750 Exchequer 257.7 0.12 
			 Tower Hamlets 31,667 Exchequer 213.2 0.15 
			 Waltham Forest 48,400 Exchequer 224.1 0.22 
			 Wandsworth 48,000 Exchequer 281.4 0.17 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2004/05 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Barking and Dagenham 415,192 Lottery 164.5 2.52 
			 Brent 253,610 Lottery 270.1 0.94 
			 Bromley 470,340 Lottery 301.9 1.56 
			 Camden 8,128,681 Lottery 226.1 35.95 
			 Croydon 168,000 Lottery 342.7 0.49 
			 Ealing 10,000 Lottery 301.8 0.03 
			 Enfield 6,700,000 Lottery 280.5 23.89 
			 Greenwich 343,161 Lottery 228.1 1.50 
			 Hackney 192,473 Lottery 207.7 0.93 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,262,394 Lottery 179.9 23.69 
			 Haringey 873,745 Lottery 224.5 3.89 
			 Havering 138,000 Lottery 226.2 0.61 
			 Hillingdon 2,046,505 Lottery 252.4 8.11 
			 Hounslow 1,872,725 Lottery 212.5 8.81 
			 Islington 910,076 Lottery 182.6 4.98 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 256,217 Lottery 196.2 1.31 
			 Lambeth 3,093,282 Lottery 269.1 11.49 
			 Lewisham 727,141 Lottery 247.5 2.94 
			 Merton 40,000 Lottery 194.7 0.21 
			 Newham 1,198,251 Lottery 246.2 4.87 
			 Richmond upon Thames 636,876 Lottery 186.3 3.42 
			 Southwark 318,516 Lottery 257.7 1.24 
			 Sutton 213,000 Lottery 177.7 1.20 
			 Tower Hamlets 8,414,074 Lottery 213.2 39.47 
			 Waltham Forest 2,123,124 Lottery 224.1 9.47 
			 Wandsworth 1,405,340 Lottery 281.4 4.99 
			 Westminster 1,434,762 Lottery 244.4 5.87 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2004/05 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Camden 1,008,112 Exchequer 226.1 4.46 
			 Enfield 34,259 Exchequer 280.5 0.12 
			 Hackney 176,000 Exchequer 207.7 0.85 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,714,395 Exchequer 179.9 9.53 
			 Havering 3,333 Exchequer 226.2 0.01 
			 Hounslow 169,434 Exchequer 212.5 0.80 
			 Islington 29,419 Exchequer 182.6 0.16 
			 Richmond upon Thames 6,181,702 Exchequer 186.3 33.18 
			 Southwark 139,152 Exchequer 257.7 0.54 
			 Tower Hamlets 35,000 Exchequer 213.2 0.16 
			 Waltham Forest 4,400 Exchequer 224.1 0.02 
			 Westminster 2,641,425 Exchequer 244.4 10.81 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2005/06 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Barnet 341,000 Lottery 329.7 1.03 
			 Bexley 717,302 Lottery 220.3 3.26 
			 Brent 186,412 Lottery 270.1 0.69 
			 Bromley 1,761,528 Lottery 301.9 5.83 
			 Camden 2,165,010 Lottery 226.1 9.58 
			 City of London 187,530 Lottery 9.2 20.38 
			 Croydon 438,855 Lottery 342.7 1.28 
			 Ealing 155,328 Lottery 301.8 0.51 
			 Enfield 13,086 Lottery 280.5 0.05 
			 Greenwich 2,193,000 Lottery 228.1 9.61 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 11,146,093 Lottery 179.9 61.96 
			 Haringey 53,340 Lottery 224.5 0.24 
			 Havering 123,165 Lottery 226.2 0.54 
			 Hillingdon 300,984 Lottery 252.4 1.19 
			 Hounslow 3,832,520 Lottery 212.5 18.04 
			 Islington 25,074 Lottery 182.6 0.14 
			 Lewisham 173,165 Lottery 247.5 0.70 
			 Newham 146,400 Lottery 246.2 0.59 
			 Redbridge 40,000 Lottery 251.5 0.16 
			 Southwark 1,312,648 Lottery 257.7 5.09 
			 Tower Hamlets 123,650 Lottery 213.2 0.58 
			 Waltham Forest 697,265 Lottery 224.1 3.11 
			 Wandsworth 75,000 Lottery 281.4 0.27 
			 Westminster 3,323,853 Lottery 244.4 54.52 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2005/06 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Camden 8,572,100 Exchequer 226.1 37.91 
			 City of London 59,667 Exchequer 9.2 6.49 
			 Enfield 63,686 Exchequer 280.5 0.23 
			 Greenwich 5,833 Exchequer 228.1 0.03 
			 Hackney 192,000 Exchequer 207.7 0.92 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 4,352,699 Exchequer 179.9 24.20 
			 Hounslow 743,341 Exchequer 212.5 3.50 
			 Islington 586,817 Exchequer 182.6 3.21 
			 Lambeth 85,000 Exchequer 269.1 0.32 
			 Newham 20,000 Exchequer 246.2 0.08 
			 Redbridge 24,848 Exchequer 251.5 0.10 
			 Richmond upon Thames 3,029,564 Exchequer 186.3 16.26 
			 Southwark 1,210,479 Exchequer 257.7 4.70 
			 Tower Hamlets 31,667 Exchequer 213.2 0.15 
			 Wandsworth 61,000 Exchequer 281.4 0.22 
			 Westminster 7,261,269 Exchequer 244.4 29.71 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2006/07 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Bexley 1,387,996 Lottery 220.3 6.30 
			 Bromley 1,630,200 Lottery 301.9 5.40 
			 Camden 3,254,411 Lottery 226.1 14.39 
			 City of London 61,667 Lottery 9.2 6.70 
			 Croydon 170,000 Lottery 342.7 0.50 
			 Greenwich 6,000,000 Lottery 228.1 26.30 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 2,247,000 Lottery 179.9 12.49 
			 Haringey 67,971 Lottery 224.5 0.30 
			 Hounslow 4,567,969 Lottery 212.5 21.50 
			 Islington 20,000 Lottery 182.6 0.11 
			 Lambeth 293,855 Lottery 269.1 1.09 
			 Newham 50,000 Lottery 246.2 0.20 
			 Richmond upon Thames 131,233 Lottery 186.3 0.70 
			 Southwark 1,587,213 Lottery 257.7 6.16 
			 Tower Hamlets 375,237 Lottery 213.2 1.76 
			 Westminster 16,065,557 Lottery 244.4 65.73 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2006/07 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Barking and Dagenham 60,194 Exchequer 164.5 0.37 
			 Bromley 18,429 Exchequer 301.9 0.06 
			 Camden 4,703,716 Exchequer 226.1 20.80 
			 Croydon 45,000 Exchequer 342.7 0.13 
			 Enfield 571,305 Exchequer 280.5 2.04 
			 Greenwich 11,167 Exchequer 228.1 0.05 
			 Hackney 227,000 Exchequer 207.7 1.09 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 5,045,415 Exchequer 179.9 28.05 
			 Havering 90,118 Exchequer 226.2 0.40 
			 Hillingdon 174,228 Exchequer 252.4 0.69 
			 Hounslow 401,475 Exchequer 212.5 1.89 
			 Islington 813,000 Exchequer 182.6 4.45 
			 Lambeth 42,490 Exchequer 269.1 0.16 
			 Redbridge 928,687 Exchequer 251.5 3.69 
			 Richmond upon Thames 3,889,682 Exchequer 186.3 20.88 
			 Southwark 1,876,568 Exchequer 257.7 7.28 
			 Tower Hamlets 3,333 Exchequer 213.2 0.02 
			 Waltham Forest 24,500 Exchequer 224.1 0.11 
			 Wandsworth 48,000 Exchequer 281.4 0.17 
			 Westminster 26,211,245 Exchequer 244.4 107.25 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2007/08 
			  London borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Barking and Dagenham 802,092 Lottery 164.5 4.88 
			 Barnet 688,624 Lottery 329.7 2.09 
			 Bromley 349,959 Lottery 301.9 1.16 
			 Camden 1,963,293 Lottery 226.1 8.68 
			 Croydon 710,298 Lottery 342.7 2.07 
			 Greenwich 235,500 Lottery 228.1 1.03 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,863,008 Lottery 179.9 10.36 
			 Haringey 60,209 Lottery 224.5 0.27 
			 Havering 75,000 Lottery 226.2 0.33 
			 Hillingdon 2,220,270 Lottery 252.4 8.80 
			 Hounslow 2,935,315 Lottery 212.5 13.81 
			 Islington 319,277 Lottery 182.6 1.75 
			 Newham 1,000,000 Lottery 246.2 4.06 
			 Richmond upon Thames 150,000 Lottery 186.3 0.81 
			 Southwark 1,873,956 Lottery 257.7 7.27 
			 Sutton 415,396 Lottery 177.7 2.34 
			 Tower Hamlets 2,583,925 Lottery 213.2 12.12 
			 Westminster 3,278,265 Lottery 244.4 13.41 
		
	
	
		
			  Financial Year 2007/08 
			  London  borough  Total ()  Funding  Population (Thousand)  Per capita () 
			 Barking and Dagenham 20,000 Exchequer 164.5 0.12 
			 Brent 3,550 Exchequer 270.1 0.01 
			 Croydon 20,000 Exchequer 342.7 0.06 
			 Southwark 1,720,985 Exchequer 257.7 6.68 
		
	
	The Westminster figure includes funding for the Football Foundation which is a programme that delivers nationally.

Further Education

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many year 11 pupils who did not gain five A* to C GCSEs did not enter further education or training in 2007;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of year 11 pupils with special educational needs did not enter further post-16 education in 2007.

Jim Knight: The Longitudinal Study of Young People in England (LSYPE) and Youth Cohort Study (YCS) both provide information on the activities of young people who have completed compulsory education. The following table is based on combined survey responses in spring 2007 for the cohort of young people who were in Year 11 in 2005/06. It gives the proportions for those who were not in full-time education and those who were not in any form of education or training post-16:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   spring 2007 
			  Year 11 pupils (2005/06)  Not in full-time education  Not in any education or training 
			 Without five A*-C GCSEs 49 23 
			 With special educational needs 44 23 
			  Source:  LSYPE, wave 4, YCS, Cohort 13, sweep 1

GCE A-level

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils who were entered for A2 examinations did not gain an A level above a C grade in 2007.

Jim Knight: 254,535 candidates aged 16 to 18 were entered for a total of 718,754 GCE A-level examinations in 2006-07 in all schools and colleges. Of these, 26,674 candidates (10.5 per cent.) did not achieve any A, B or C grades and 196,647 individual entries (27.4 per cent.) were not awarded a grade A, B or C.

GCE A-level

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of year 13 students were entered for A-level examinations in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The number of year 13 students entered for A-level examinations in each year since 1997 is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of year 13 students entered for A-level examinations years: 1996-97 to 2006-07; Coverage: England 
			  Year( 1)  Number 
			 1996-97 231,257 
			 1997-98 236,028 
			 1998-99 236,016 
			 1999-2000 231,351 
			 2000-01 241,013 
			 2001-02 257,922 
			 2002-03 268,671 
			 2003-04 265,257 
			 2004-05 263,635 
			 2005-06(2) 258,285 
			 2006-07(2) 249,552 
			 (1) The 2006-07 figure is based on revised data. Other years are based on final data. (2) From 2005-06 the figures refer to students entered for GCEA/CE/Applied A levels and Double Awards. 
		
	
	The Department does not collect information on the numbers starting A-level courses so information on proportions is not available.
	The figures were taken from the following Departmental Statistical First Releases: GCEA/CE A/AS and Equivalent Examination Results in England, 2006-07 (Revised) (Table 1), accessible via:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000769/index.shtml
	and GCEA/CE A/AS Examination Results for Young People in England 2004-05 (Final) (Table 3), accessible via:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000663/index.shtml.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils obtained one GCSE in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: Figures can be found in the following table.
	
		
			  Number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils who achieved at least one GCSE, in each year since 1997 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 2007 625,630 95.3 
			 2006 616,960 95.1 
			 2005 603,993 94.9 
			 2004 608,057 94.5 
			 2003 588,375 94.6 
			 2002 573,230 94.5 
			 2001 569,671 94.4 
			 2000 547,488 94.3 
			 1999 545,375 93.0 
			 1998 536,830 93.3 
			 1997 541,692 92.3 
			  Notes: 1. Based on pupils aged 15 at start of academic year i.e. 31 August. 2. These figures are based on GCSEs only and do not include achievements in other equivalent qualifications.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  in how many schools in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation fewer than 50 per cent. of pupils gained five A* to C GCSEs in 2007;
	(2)  what proportion of pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not obtain five GCSEs at any grade in each year since 2004;
	(3)  how many and what proportion of pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not obtain level 4 in a combination of writing, reading and mathematics tests at key stage 2 in 2007;
	(4)  how many pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not obtain level 5 in a combination of writing, reading and mathematics tests at key stage 3 in 2007;
	(5)  how many and what proportion of pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not obtain level 4 in key stage 2 English in 2007;
	(6)  how many pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not achieve level 5 or higher in key stage 3 English tests in each of the last 10 years;
	(7)  how many pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation sat A-level examinations in 2007;
	(8)  how many pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not gain a GCSE, excluding equivalents, in 2007;
	(9)  how many and what proportion of pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not gain five A* to C GCSEs including English, mathematics, science and a foreign language in 2007;
	(10)  how many and what proportion of pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation have a statement of special educational needs;
	(11)  how many non-statemented pupils with special educational needs there are in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation;
	(12)  how many year 11 pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation were not entered for English or mathematics GCSE examinations in 2007;
	(13)  how many pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation were not entered for three separate sciences at GCSE in 2007;
	(14)  how many year 11 pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation were not entered for a modern languages GCSE examination in 2007;
	(15)  how many year 13 pupils in areas of each decile of multiple deprivation did not obtain three A-levels above a C grade in 2007;
	(16)  how many year 11 pupils in areas in each decile of multiple deprivation did not obtain a  (a) mathematics,  (b) English and  (c) science GCSE at C grade or above in 2007.

Jim Knight: Currently published attainment by deprivation of school location and pupil residency is available at the following locations. Additional information and information on special educational needs by deprivation can be produced only at disproportionate cost:
	 Key Stage 2: (Table 11)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000764/index.shtml
	 Key Stage 3: (Table 14)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000776/index.shtml
	 GCSE and Equivalent: (Table 21)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000768/index.shtml
	 A Level: (Table 13)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000769/index.shtml
	 Pupil Characteristics (residency-based attainment): (IDACI table)
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000759/index.shtml

General Certificate of Secondary Education: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what proportion of deaf and hard of hearing children gained five or more GCSEs at grade C and above in the Peterborough City Council area in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what proportion of children gained at least two A-levels in the Peterborough City Council area in the last year for which figures are available;
	(3)  what proportion of deaf and hard of hearing children gained at least two A-levels in the Peterborough City Council area in the last year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: 94.6 per cent. of candidates at the end of A/AS level (or equivalent) study achieved at least two A-levels in Peterborough local authority by the end of 2006/07.
	Figures for deaf and hard of hearing children are available only at disproportionate cost.

Physics: General Certificate of Secondary Education

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of maintained mainstream schools do not offer a physics GCSE course.

Jim Knight: The Department does not hold information on schools that offer particular subjects at GCSEonly on those that enter pupils for the examinations. In 2007, 1,092 maintained mainstream schools (34.1 per cent.) entered one or more pupils for GCSE physics.

Pre-school Education

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the evaluation of the Early Learning Partnership Project; what steps he plans to take in respect of the evaluation; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Department commissioned the University of Oxford to undertake the national evaluation of this project. I welcome their findings, in particular, that it developed understanding and skills among practitioners on engaging parents in their children's early learning and showed how to reach and engage some vulnerable families in disadvantaged areas. The lessons from the project will inform ongoing work with the voluntary sector and local authorities to improve support for parents and their young children, including the family support strand of the expanded two year old pilot. As an early step, on 25 June we held a national dissemination event on the project outcomes for local authority Early Years Leads, commissioners of parenting and children's services and voluntary sector providers and we have circulated a briefing on learning from the project to these groups. Other steps include the production of a resource kit demonstrating good practice on working with fathers.

Primary Education: Assessments

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of year 6 pupils obtained Level 4C in key stage 2 tests in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: Level 4c is not a valid national curriculum level. The following table shows the readily available information on pupils achieving level 4 in Key Stage 2 tests.
	
		
			  Proportion of pupils achieving Level 4 in KS2 subjects and total number of eligible pupils 
			   English  Mathematics  Science 
			   Percentage  Number ( T housand)  Percentage  Number ( T housand)  Percentage  Number ( T housand) 
			 1998 48 608.1 42 608.3 53 608.1 
			 1999 48 628.8 45 629.0 51 628.6 
			 2000 46 623.4 47 623.7 50 623.3 
			 2001 46 633.5 45 633.5 53 633.3 
			 2002 46 641.3 46 640.8 49 641.1 
			 2003 48 637.1 44 637.2 46 637.0 
			 2004 50 612.3 43 612.7 43 612.6 
			 2005 52 609.6 44 609.9 40 609.6 
			 2006 47 594.1 43 594.2 41 594.1 
			 2007 47 586.7 45 587.2 41 586.9 
			  Notes: 1. Figures for 2007 are based on revised data. Figures for all other years are based on final data. 2. This information is taken from table 1 of SFR41/2007 http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000764/index.shtml

Primary Education: Standards

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 30 June 2008,  Official Report, column 640W, on primary education: standards, how many and what proportion of children in  (a) the 10 per cent. most deprived local authorities and  (b) the 10 per cent. least deprived local authorities achieved the national standard in each Key Stage 1 examination in each year since 1995.

Jim Knight: The number and percentage of Key Stage 1 pupils achieving Level 2 or above attending schools located in the 10 per cent most deprived areas and the 10 per cent. least deprived areas, as classified by IDACI, is given as follows for 1997, 2005 and 2007. Further years can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Mathematics  Reading  Writing  Science 
			   Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number 
			  1997 
			 All 84 512,710 80 489,518 80 490,220 n/a n/a 
			 10 per cent. most deprived 75 52,525 69 48,063 69 48,265 n/a n/a 
			 10 per cent. least deprived 91 44,021 89 43,136 89 43,027 n/a n/a 
			  
			  2005 
			 All 91 517,999 85 484,803 82 469,169 90 510,523 
			 10 per cent. most deprived 84 50,237 75 44,705 71 42,488 80 48,116 
			 10 per cent. least deprived 95 48,291 92 46,693 90 45,612 95 48,315 
			  
			  2007 
			 All 90 491,352 84 457,904 80 439,007 89 485,774 
			 10 per cent. most deprived 82 47,552 73 42,279 68 39,515 80 45,954 
			 10 per cent. least deprived 95 47,099 91 45,364 89 44,142 95 47,189 
			 n/a = Not available  Notes: 1. Prior to 2004, results of pupils in tasks/tests at Key Stage 1 were reported alongside teacher assessments. 2. In 2004, new assessment arrangements where only teacher assessments (informed by task/test results) were reported were trialled in some LAs. In 2005 this trial was rolled out to all LAs and from 2005 to date teacher assessments, informed by the outcomes of national tasks and tests are reported. As a result, figures for results from 2005 and 2007 in the table are not directly comparable with those for 1997, and care is needed in interpreting trends in the data. Due to a change in policy, the figures for 2005 onwards are taken from teacher assessment results. 3. Teacher assessments for science were only reported from 2005 onwards. Prior to 2005, test/task results for science are not available.

Private Education: Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much  (a) his Department and its predecessor and  (b) the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has spent on working with independent schools to develop the new diplomas; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: To date, there has been no expenditure by either the Department and its predecessor or the QCA specifically on working with independent schools to develop the new diplomas.

Private Education: Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on  (a) holding and  (b) organising the national conference for independent schools to discuss the new diplomas.

Jim Knight: The cost to the Department of holding and organising the national conference on '14-19 Reforms and Independent Schools' last December in London was some 54,000.

Private Education: Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department spent on  (a) holding and  (b) organising the seminar for independent schools which have expressed an interest in offering diploma courses.

Jim Knight: The cost to the Department of holding and organising the seminar on 28 April in London was some 3,000.

Private Education: Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which independent schools have expressed an interest in offering diploma courses.

Jim Knight: The following 13 independent schools expressed an interest in delivering diplomas following the national conference last December:
	Culcheth Hall School, Trafford
	Bootham School, York
	Batley Grammar, Kirklees
	Milton Abbey, Dorset
	Worksop College, Nottinghamshire
	Leicester Grammar, Leicestershire
	Frewen College, East Sussex
	St. Leonards Mayfield School, East Sussex
	Queen Ethelburga's College, North Yorkshire
	Clayesmore School, Dorset
	Wellington College, Berkshire
	Brighton College, East Sussex
	Stanbridge Earls School, Hampshire
	In addition, Polam Hall school in Darlington and Hammond school in Cheshire are partners in consortia that have approval to deliver diplomas in 2009.

Private Education: Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many independent schools have been approved for diploma delivery in September 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Two independent schools are members of consortia approved to deliver diplomas from 2009.

Private Education: Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to allow independent schools to offer diplomas outside consortia with other schools and colleges; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: It is important for Diplomas to be available in all parts of the schools sector. We are working to encourage independent schools to become involved in Diploma delivery. Diplomas require, in almost all circumstances, collaborative working to achieve delivery of lines wherever specialist provision, equipment and teaching is essential and in the delivery of all three levels. Diplomas also require links with employers to provide the mandatory ten days work experience in a relevant professional setting.
	As part of the local 14-19 partnership, we would expect the independent school to collaborate with other providers including, for example, schools, colleges, training providers, employers and higher education institutions.

Pupil Referral Units

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils studied in pupil referral units in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the number of pupils in pupil referral units in each year since 1997:
	
		
			   Headcount( 1) 
			 1998 7,740 
			 1999 8,260 
			 2000 8,480 
			 2001 9,290 
			 2002 9,960 
			 2003 12,010 
			 2004 13,040 
			 2005 14,470 
			 2006 15,240 
			 2007 15,160 
			 (1) Excludes dually registered pupils. 
		
	
	These figures can be found in table 1 of the Statistical First Release Schools and Pupils in England, January 2007 (Final)
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000744/index.shtml.
	2008 data will be published towards the end of July.

Pupil Referral Units: Special Educational Needs

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many non-statemented special educational needs pupils are studying in pupil referral units.

Jim Knight: The number of non-statemented special educational needs pupils studying in pupil referral units in 2008 is 7,590. This figure excludes dually registered pupils and includes pupils from other providers. The figure can be found in table 1b of the Statistical First Release 'Special Educational Needs in England, January 2008'
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000794/index.shtml.

Pupils: Per Capita Costs

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding per student will be made available for each student taking a  (a) diploma,  (b) GCSE,  (c) A-level and  (d) BTEC course in 2008-09; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Funding for 'pre-16 education' does not vary by type or number of qualifications taken, so there is not a distinct level of funding for a student taking a GCSE. We estimate the 'average' level of funding per year for 14 to 16-year-olds undertaking key stage 4 (KS4) in 2007-08 is 4,106. This figure excludes grants (including schools standards grant, school development grant and other non-delegated funding to schools).
	Additional funding is provided to local authorities for 14 to 16-year-olds taking diplomas through the diploma specific grant to reflect the additional costs arising from the practical, applied nature of the learning. The level of funding will vary according to the diploma line and level being studied as shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Diploma line  Level  Amount per place () 
			 Engineering Level 1 957.21 
			  Level 2 1,277.95 
			
			 Society, Health and Development Level 1 824.74 
			  Level 2 1,101.07 
			
			 Construction Level 1 957.21 
			  Level 2 1,277.95 
			
			 IT Level 1 824.74 
			  Level 2 1,101.07 
			
			 Creative and Media Level 1 736.30 
			  Level 2 957.21 
		
	
	The level of diploma grant to LAs with diploma pupils also includes an allowance for additional costs arising in areas with relatively sparse populations and large distances between institutions between which pupils may need to travel. The average level of funding is 1,000 per student per year. Funding of '16 to 18-year-olds' is based on the size of the learning programmes they study; factors pertaining to the institution where study takes place including disadvantage, area costs and success rates; and any additional support that individual learners may need.
	An illustrative example of funding that a school sixth form would receive over two years for a student on a diploma, A-level and Edexcel national diploma vocational programme respectively, and excluding institutional and individual learner factors, is as follows:
	
		
			
			 Advance Diploma 8,914 
			 3 A levels (3 AS, 3A2) 7,383 
			 Edexcel BTEC National Diploma 8,561

Religion: Education

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what guidance he has issued to local education authorities on the extent to which pupils are required to participate in religious observance when such observance forms part of a religious education lesson; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: No specific guidance on religious observance within religious education has been issued to local authorities, and the issue is not covered in either Circular 1/94: Religious Education and Collective Worship or the National Framework for Religious Education (QCA, 2004). Religious education syllabi for non-denominational schools are set at local authority level by Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education (SACREs). Each locally agreed syllabus must take into account not only Christianity but the teaching and practices of the other principle religions represented in the country. Local syllabuses should not require religious observance within RE.
	The Department is currently updating circular 1/94 with regard to religious education. Parents continue to have the right to withdraw their child from all or any part of religious education.

Schools: Transport

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent representations he has received from local education authorities on the effect of increases in the cost of fuel on the provision of school bus services; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families has not received any recent representations from local authorities regarding the effect of the increases in the cost of fuel on the provision of school bus services. We are aware from the Department for Transport's on-going discussions with bus operators that there are concerns about the impact of increased fuel costs on school bus services. However, the responsibility for determining school transport arrangements including agreeing the cost of school transport contracts with local bus operators is a matter for local authorities.

Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of places which will be available on diploma courses in  (a) September 2008 and  (b) September 2009; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of pupils expected to enrol on a diploma course in  (a) September 2008 and  (b) September 2009; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what his latest estimate is of the number of places there will be on diploma courses in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12; how many students he expects to be studying for diplomas in each of those years; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: In September 2008 38,000 diploma places will be available; to date approximately 20,000 pupils have signed up for a diploma course. These figures are estimates because many young people will not yet have made a decision about which qualifications to undertake. The capacity in the system is increasing rapidly and 317 groups of schools, colleges and training providers will introduce new diplomas from 2009the number of places available and young people enrolling on the courses will be determined over the coming months. Places for 2010 and beyond will be determined by consortiums and local 14-19 Partnerships through local planning and will be subject to approval through the Gateway process.

Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the completion rate of the new diplomas; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Our focus has been on developing high quality diploma qualifications which have the support of higher education and employers. The first learners have yet to start their qualifications therefore we have no reliable basis for any estimates of completion.

Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many staff in his Department are working on the development and introduction of diplomas; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: There are 30 staff working specifically on the diploma, with many more of the 138 involved in 14-19 reform having some role in ensuring their successful delivery.

Specialised Diplomas: Consultants

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much  (a) his Department and its predecessor and  (b) the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority has spent on employing external consultants to advise on the new diplomas in each year since 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The amount spent on employing consultants by the Department and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to advise on the new diplomas in each year since 2005 is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) DCSF 
			million 
			 2004-05 0 
			 2005-06 0 
			 2006-07 0.7 
			 2007-08 2.54 
			 Total 3.24 
		
	
	
		
			  ( b )  QCA 
			million 
			 2004-05 0 
			 2005-06 0.5 
			 2006-07 8.0 
			 2007-08 10.5 
			 Total 19.0

Specialised Diplomas: Standards

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what targets have been set for the effectiveness of the new diplomas in each year since 2005; what the targets are now; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: No targets have been set for the diploma. We are committed to fully evaluating each phase of the diploma to assess how effectively it has been implemented and the impact it is having on the participation and achievement of young people. Delivery of the diploma will also be subject to independent inspection by Ofsted.

Speech Therapy: Young Offender Institutions

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many full-time speech and language therapists are employed in  (a) youth offender institutions and  (b) secure training centres.

Beverley Hughes: The information requested is not held centrally.
	The responsibility for commissioning health services in young offender institutions and adult prisons in England has been fully devolved to national health service primary care trusts (PCTs) since April 2006. PCTs work with establishments to develop comprehensive health needs assessments of their populations and then commission on the basis of that need. Provision of treatment for speech, language and communication problems will therefore differ depending on the locality and on the specific needs of the individual concerned.
	All young offenders receive health screening on reception into prison and in addition will be screened for their educational needs. A new reception screen for young people has been developed by the Youth Justice Board and is being piloted. It contains a section looking at disability and impairment, which contains a question designed to identify speech difficulties in young people entering custody.
	A general learning needs assessment is used to identify all learning difficulties and disabilities. As part of this process, a member of education staff may have concerns about a prisoner's speech and language capability. Where such problems are identified, either as a result of the health screen or the education screen, a referral to an appropriate health professional would be expected to be made.
	The Youth Justice Board manages contracts with the operators of secure training centres which provide requirements for the services to be delivered to young people accommodated within the centres. These contracts reflect and expand upon the National Standards for Youth Justice Services. Health services in secure training centres are the responsibility of the secure training centre operators who are contracted to deliver health care broadly in line with national health service standards. Trainees in custody at the secure training centre will be entitled to a basic monthly medical examination and/or health assessment by health care staff at the secure training centre and will have access to national health service facilities and specialists when clinically required.

Teachers: Finance

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funding his Department has provided to defray the university tuition fees of newly-qualified teachers in each of the last five years; what the planned funding for each of the next five years is; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: This Department does not provide funding specifically to defray the university tuition fees of people training to be teachers.

Teachers: Pay

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funding his Department has allocated to the implementation of the new pay arrangements for part-time unqualified and supply teachers before the start of the 2008-09 academic year; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The proposed changes to pay arrangements for part-time, unqualified and short notice teachers for the 2008-09 academic year will have a minor administrative cost which can be met from within the existing funding settlement.

Teachers: Vacancies

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many teacher vacancies there were in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in (i) Bexley and (ii) London in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The following table provides the number of vacancies for full-time qualified teachers in local authority maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools in Bexley local authority (LA) the London government office region and England for January 2007 and 2008, the latest information available at the local authority and regional levels respectively.
	
		
			  Full-time vacancy( 1)  numbers in local authority maintained nursery/primary and secondary schools schools( 2) coverage: Bexley LA, London and England, January 2007 and 2008 
			   Bexley  London  England 
			   Nursery/primary  Secondary  Nursery/primary  Secondary  Nursery/primary  Secondary 
			 2008(3) n/a n/a 214 304 872 1,471 
			 2007 1 12 221 253 658 1,214 
			 n/a = Not available. (1) Advertised vacancies for full-time permanent appointments (or appointments of at least one terms duration), includes vacancies being filled on a temporary basis by a teacher with a contract of less than one term. (2) Excludes city technology colleges and academies. (3) Provisional.  Source: Annual survey of teacher numbers and vacancies, 618g 
		
	
	The latest information on teacher vacancies was published in April 2008 at the following web link:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000787/index.shtml
	Vacancy numbers and rates for 2008 by local authority, including Bexley, are expected to be published in September.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Burma: Arms Trade

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1850W, on Burma: arms trade, how many times criterion 7 of the Consolidated EU and National Export and Licensing Criteria has been breached in respect of Burma since October 2007; and if he will list the instances.

Meg Munn: The EU arms embargo on Burma has been in place since 1996. We are not aware of any EU supplied equipment reaching Burma in breach of the embargo either directly or via a third country since October 2007. Were we to have concerns that goods covered by a UK export licence application might be diverted via a third country to Burma in breach of the embargo, and in contravention of criterion 7 of the EU and National Export Licensing Criteria, the application would be refused.
	We continue to vigorously enforce the EU Common Position on Burma with the co-operation of our EU partners.

Burma: Arms Trade

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1850W, on Burma: arms trade, what further UN action the Government has proposed relating to the regime in Burma in light of the undemocratic nature of the referendum on the constitution in May.

Meg Munn: On 2 May the UN Security Council (UNSC), under UK chairmanship, issued a presidential statement in advance of the 10 May referendum underlining the need for an inclusive and credible political process, including full participation of all political actors and ethnic groups and respect for fundamental political freedoms. The UNSC also reaffirmed its previous demands, including the release of all political prisoners.
	Since 2 May, the humanitarian crisis in Burma caused by cyclone Nargis has been our priority. However, the political situation in the country remains a cause of deep concern and the need for political change is stronger than ever. The referendum was deeply flawed and the results lack all credibility.
	We will work to refocus international efforts on the political situation and are exploring options with our international partners for further UN action, including in the UNSC, to encourage political progress. We continue to give our full support to the UN Secretary-General's Good Offices Mission.

Central Africa: Peacekeeping Operations

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the participation of Russia has been in the EU military operation in Chad.

Jim Murphy: The EU has encouraged third countries to support the UN-mandated EU military operation in Chad. This has led to an offer of assistance from Albania which was approved by the EU Council on 6 June. Russia has also offered assistance in the form of four transport helicopters. Deployment of these helicopters is unlikely to take place before mid-August, subject to the success of current technical negotiations in Brussels. We will keep the relevant parliamentary committees updated as the situation develops.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Armed Forces

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made by the Council Sanctions Committee on individual sanctions under UN Security Council Resolution 1698 against armed groups operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo that recruit child soldiers.

Meg Munn: The sanctions provisions of UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1698 (2006) have been renewed by UNSCR 1807 (2008) which, inter alia, calls for sanctions to be applied to political and military leaders operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that are recruiting or using children in armed conflicts in violation of applicable international law.
	The UN has designated 22 individuals and entities under DRC related sanctions for impeding the political process and/or violating the arms embargo. Although no individuals have been specifically designated for the use of child soldiers, it is suspected that a number of designated individuals have recruited or used child soldiers in the territory of the DRC.
	In February 2008, the UK called for further efforts to be made by the Government of the DRC on the use of child soldiers during an Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict at the UN. In June, the Security Council raised the issue of child soldiers with President Kabila during the Council's visit to the DRC. The UK stands ready to consider the use of further sanctions against those recruiting or using children in armed conflicts in violation of UNSCR 1807 (2008).

Democratic Republic of Congo: Rape

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government supports the proposal for the International Criminal Court to open an investigation into the use of rape as a war crime in eastern Congo.

Meg Munn: The UK supports the efforts of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor to combat impunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo by investigating rape and widespread sexual violence within the whole spectrum of criminality that falls under the ICC's jurisdiction.

Departmental Press Subscriptions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by his Department on subscriptions for magazines, newspapers and other publications in each of the last 24 months.

Meg Munn: The budget from which the monthly figures in the following table are reported includes all publications (newspapers, press cuttings, periodicals and electronic information subscriptions) used by staff in the UK and overseas to support the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's research and decision-making.
	Variations in spend, by month, can be attributed to whether renewal of subscriptions are annual, quarterly or monthly.
	
		
			   
			   2007-08  2006-07 
			 April 484,208.39 37,730.72 
			 May 32,875.79 371,499.18 
			 June 263,504.33 192,189.33 
			 July 232,900.38 409,955.37 
			 August 156,317.56 193,074.92 
			 September 225,427.80 330,550.70 
			 October 266,304.19 290,407.54 
			 November 124,178.76 242,586.29 
			 December -114,148.69 96,093.77 
			 January 237,062.14 211,821.60 
			 February 149,621.42 171,259.76 
			 March 309,660.09 287,430.39 
			 Adjustment -12,699.51 -373,409.64 
			 Total 2,355,212.65 2,461,189.93

Departmental Sick Leave

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many days of sick leave were taken by his Department's employees in each year since 1997.

Meg Munn: The number of days on which UK civil servants employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office were absent because of illness are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Days of recorded absence for sickness 
			   Total number  Average per employee 
			 2005 20,904 3.4 
			 2006 19,102 3.1 
			 2007 21,352 3.6 
		
	
	We do not hold central records for staff sickness absences before 2005.

Diplomatic Service: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many residences of foreign diplomats there are in  (a) Castle Point and  (b) Essex.

Meg Munn: According to our records, there are no foreign diplomats currently living in Castle Point and 21 foreign diplomats currently living in Essex.

Iraq: Asylum

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications have been received from Iraqi nationals for UK assistance under the  (a) Gateway and  (b) Locally Employed Staff Assistance Scheme; from which countries these applications have been received; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is responsible for referring cases to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for consideration under the Gateway Protection Programme. To date, UKBA has received 422 applications from Iraqi nationals for resettlement under the Gateway Programme.
	We have received a total of 1,247 applications under the Locally Employed (LE) Staff Assistance Scheme. 817 of these are from former staff for consideration under the Gateway Programme of which 351 have been assessed as eligible. Of these, 175 have chosen the financial package, 144 have opted for Gateway and 32 have yet to express their preference.
	The vast majority of applications for assistance under the LE Scheme have come from Iraq but we have also received some from Jordan, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Canada, Thailand, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, India and the UK.

Members: Correspondence

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when his Department plans to reply to the e-mails of 22 April 2008 and 6 June 2008 from the office of the hon. Member for Eastbourne relating to his constituent Mrs. Dennison and her grandchildren who are unable to leave Iraq.

Meg Munn: The e-mails of 22 April 2008 and 6 June 2008 have been forwarded to the UK Border Agency who will be replying to the hon. Member.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made since July 2007 of the impact of actions taken by  (a) Iran and  (b) Syria to support and arm terrorist groups operating against the State of Israel on regional stability and security; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Both Iran and Syria offer support to Palestinian rejectionist groups. Such support undermines the prospects for a just and lasting settlement, in which the two states of Israel and Palestine can live side by side in peace and security. We call on both countries to cease their support for these groups and renounce all links to terrorism.

Middle East: Peacekeeping Operations

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he  (a) is taking and  (b) plans to take to support the government of Mahmoud Abbas; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The UK actively supports President Abbas and the Government of the Palestinian Authority. We have made clear our commitment to helping all Palestinians. The UK is engaged in supporting the development of Palestinian security. At the Berlin Conference on 24 June, the UK committed 2.7 million in 2008 and 4.5 million over the next three years to help these efforts. Prior to this, on 2 April, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development announced 32 million to help the Palestinians. This will double our contribution to the Palestinians for 2007-08 to a new total of 63.6 million.

Somalia: Sanctions

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had on actions to be taken in response to breaches of the UN arms embargo to Somalia; what consideration he has given to increasing the number of Somali individuals subject to the travel ban and asset freeze as a result of embargo breaches; and what steps the Government is taking to ensure that individuals breaching the embargo are  (a) identified and  (b) subject to punitive measures.

Meg Munn: The UK takes seriously all allegations of breaches of the UN arms embargo against Somalia. Consistent with relevant UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, most recently UNSC resolution 1814 (2008), the UK fully supports the implementation of targeted measures against those who breach the arms embargo and those who support them in so doing.
	At present, there are no targeted measures in support of the embargo. However, the UK is committed to working in the UNSC and in its relevant sanctions committee to strengthen the effectiveness of the arms embargo, including the ongoing consideration of such measures and the individuals and entities to whom they should apply.

Sudan: Arms Trade

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he plans to take further to restrict the supply of arms to Sudan; and what discussions he is having to this effect at the UN.

Meg Munn: The UK asked the UN Sanctions Committee of 6 November 2007 to extend its arms embargo on Darfur to all of Sudan, but not all UN Security Council (UNSC) members agreed. Since then, we have raised the issue whenever Sudan has been discussed in the UNSC and elsewhere, for example at the UN/African Union led talks on Darfur in Geneva on 5 June.
	On 12 June 2008, the UK reiterated in the UNSC the need for all parties to adhere to the arms embargo on Darfur. We will continue to press for an extension of the arms embargo.
	The EU continues to operate an arms embargo on the whole of Sudan.

West Africa: Peace Negotiations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Chairman of the African Union on the progress of peace talks following the fighting on the Djibouti-Eritrea border.

Meg Munn: My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Lord Malloch-Brown, attended the African Union (AU) Summit in Sharm el Sheikh from 30 June to 1 July. At the Summit, my noble Friend Lord Malloch-Brown held a number of bilateral meetings with various members and representatives of the AU. As the main focus of the summit and bilateral meetings was Zimbabwe, the opportunity to raise the issue of the Djibouti/Eritrea border did not arise.
	We call on Eritrea to enter into a bilateral dialogue with Djibouti to resolve peacefully any outstanding issues between them and to avoid increasing tension in the region.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

African Development Bank

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what reports he has received on  (a) which countries the African Development Bank has experienced the most problems with in transforming the funding given into successful and long-term projects and  (b) how the Bank hopes to resolve these problems, as referred to in his Department's most recent departmental report.

Douglas Alexander: As a shareholder, the UK receives information from African Development Bank Management on a range of issues including the proportion of problem projects. This information is not broken down by country.
	In the last two years, the bank has implemented a series of reforms to improve their ability to provide high quality assistance to African countries. It recognises that it needs to improve further, and specific measures and targets were agreed as part of the African Development Fund replenishment negotiations last year. These are detailed in the African Development Fund Eleventh Replenishment: Deputies Report, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.

Burma: Asylum

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate has been made of the number of Burmese refugees who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries since September 2007, broken down by country.

Douglas Alexander: The most recent figures date from the end of 2007, when the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that the total of Burmese refugees living outside the country was 191,267, located as follows:
	
		
			   Number of refugees living outside the country 
			 Thailand 124,562 
			 Malaysia 29,417 
			 Bangladesh 27,544 
			 United States 5,334 
		
	
	These figures include only people formally registered and approved as refugees. They do not include asylum seekers or economic migrants.
	We do not have figures to indicate specific outflows since September 2007.

Burma: Famine

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of people suffering from famine in Chin state in northwest Burma; and what assistance the Government has given to relief efforts.

Shahid Malik: Food security in the already vulnerable Chin State dramatically worsened at the end of 2007 and early 2008 due to a rat infestation. The worst affected areas appear to be remote villages in townships along the Indian border in central and southern ChinTahntlang, Matupi and Paletwa townships. Comprehensive figures of the total affected population are not currently available, but the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will be undertaking a more thorough assessment of the situation in the coming weeks.
	The Department for International Development (DFID) is providing support of 4 million over four years to UNDP for its national human development initiative, which includes work in all the townships of Chin State. The UNDP has helped villages to rebuild their livelihoods and address food insecurity in affected villages in Paletwa and Tahntlang townships.
	We will consider the case for further directed assistance to affected populations in Chin State on the basis of UNDP's assessment.

Burma: Overseas Aid

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of helicopter aid lift for humanitarian operation in Burma; and what steps the Government is taking with its international partners to ensure adequate capability.

Douglas Alexander: During the second half of June the World Food Programme (WFP) succeeded in bringing 10 helicopters into Burma to support the relief operation. These have facilitated needs assessments and have flown supplies to 60 different locations in the Deltaincluding five that had not previously been reached by any aid.
	Given the increasing use of boats, the expensive nature of helicopter operations and the fact that most assessments have now taken place, WFP has scaled down to only five helicopters from 1 July.
	WFP is currently facing a 50 per cent. shortfall in funding for its whole logistics operation. Agencies are being encouraged to reduce reliance on the air bridge and to build transport costs into forthcoming appeals. We are in close contact with other donors, encouraging them to increase their funding for WFP's logistics appeal. The UK has already contributed 5 million to the overall WFP logistics operation.

Burma: Storms

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent estimate he has made of the number of visas granted to relief workers by the Burmese authorities to assist those affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Douglas Alexander: We do not know the total number of visas issued to humanitarian workers since Cyclone Nargis, as this information is held within the Burmese Ministry of Social Welfare. However, we have noted a significant increase in the numbers and length of visas being issued to humanitarian workers since the 25 May UN/ASEAN conference. For example, UN staff have been issued with 302 visas in the May to July period, of which 77 have been extended. Department for International Development (DFID) staff have been issued with 19 visas since the cyclone hit.

China: Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations his Department has made to the government of China on upholding its commitment to the UN Call to Action on the Millennium Development Goals.

Douglas Alexander: China signed the Call to Action during the visit of the Prime Minister to China in January 2008. Further discussions on how China would participate in the Call to Action were held by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the UK-China High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue in April.

Civil Society Challenge Fund

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what criteria his Department has established for projects to be supported through the Civil Society Challenge Fund; in which countries the projects supplied by the funds in 2006-07 were located; what the five projects receiving the most funding were; and what organisations administered each.

Douglas Alexander: The criteria for projects supported through the Civil Society Challenge Fund (CSCF) are set out on the Department for International Development's external website at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/funding/civilsocietyguidelines08.asp
	Projects supplied by the funds in 2006-07 were located in the following countries: Afghanistan; Albania; Bangladesh; Bolivia; Bosnia; Brazil; Cambodia; Cameroon; China; Colombia; Democratic Republic of Congo; East Timor; Ecuador; Ethiopia; Ghana; Guatemala; Guyana; India; Indonesia; Kenya; Kiribati; Republic of Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Republic of Moldova; Mozambique; Namibia; Nepal; Nicaragua; Niger; Nigeria; Pakistan; Palestine; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Philippines; Rwanda; Sierra Leone; Republic of South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Ukraine; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. There were also a number of regional projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
	The five projects receiving the most funding during 2006-07 and the organisations administering these are listed in the following table:
	
		
			  Project title  Organisation  Country or  region  Funding in 2006-07 () 
			 Youth Opportunities Coda International Training (CIT) Palestine 196,462 
			 Self Help and Advocacy Handicap International Bosnia 188,193 
			 Dynamic Advocacy Interact Worldwide Latin America 186,204 
			 Human Rights Concern Worldwide Tanzania 180,412 
			 Rights to Seed Harvest Help Zambia 179,842

Departmental Aviation

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many individual domestic air flights were undertaken within Great Britain by representatives of his Department in the most recent year for which figures are available; and at what cost.

Douglas Alexander: In the 12 months ending 31 March 2008, 2,974 domestic flights were undertaken by Department for International Development (DFID) Ministers and officials at a cost of 774,682.
	All travel by Ministers and civil servants is undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively.

Departmental Information Officers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the average cost to his Department was of employing a press and media officer in 2007-08.

Douglas Alexander: The average salary cost incurred by the Department for International Development in employing press and media staff in 2007-08 was 42,728(1)( )per annum (including the employer's share of pension and national insurance contributions).
	(1) Based on salary rates effective from 1 August 2007

Departmental Marketing

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much his Department spent on branding and marketing activity in 2007-08.

Gillian Merron: Branding and marketing is an integral part of communicating the work of the Department for International Development (DFID) to relevant audiences. Our approach follows the advice of the Government Communications Network which can be found at http://www.comms.gov.uk/. Activity includes implementing development programmes; policy consultation with key stakeholders; raising public awareness of international development; and internal communication. It is not possible to disaggregate figures for spending on this activity from overall budgets without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Sick Leave

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many days of sick leave were taken by his Department's employees in each year since 1997.

Shahid Malik: Details for each of the years from 1997 are not readily available without incurring disproportionate costs.
	Details of the three most recent financial years show that the total numbers of days lost to sick absence in the Department for International Development were:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2005-06 11,171 
			 2006-07 9,001 
			 2007-08 10,052 
		
	
	The latest civil service wide sickness absence report can be found at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/sickness.asp.

Developing Countries: Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps the Government has taken to improve provision of education for girls in developing countries.

Gillian Merron: The UK Government have committed to spending 8.5 billion over the next 10 years to 2015 in support of education in developing countries. We are supporting developing countries' plans, policies and programmes to ensure that girls benefit.
	The UK Governments Department for International Development (DFID) works with partner governments to develop effective gender equality responses tailored to the needs of different country contexts. DFID's 2006 review of progress of the 2005 Girls' Education Strategy: Towards a Better Future For All reaffirmed commitments to strengthening our work on girls education to make a difference at country level and actions to support country-led strategies. These commitments relate to our work at international level through leadership and advocacy, and country level in participation with national governments, as well as our work with civil society.
	Link to Summary of Girls Education 2005 Strategy:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/education/Girls-Education-summarry-FINAL.pdf
	Link to 2006 Progress Report of Girls Education Strategycopies of the progress report have been placed in the House Library:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/education/girls-education-progress-report.pdf
	Our work with international and non-governmental organisations, particularly UNICEF and the United Nations Girls Education Initiative also help tackle social and economic barriers outside the education system that hinder girls' participation.
	DFID support to international education statistics and the Education for All global monitoring report includes a focus on gender disaggregated statistics. New policy and knowledge work on education aims to address the focus on getting the use of broader gender and poverty data (i.e. house hold survey data), incorporated within standard international education statistics. We are also in discussions with UNICEF around opening up a pilot on gender and education statistics software to use by all partners.

Developing Countries: Family Planning

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps the Government has taken to improve provision of family planning services in developing countries.

Gillian Merron: The Department for International Development (DFID) is working with developing country governments to accelerate access to sexual and reproductive health services. DFID is also providing significant resources to make sure that people have improved access to sexual and reproductive health supplies such as modern contraception and condoms. This enables women and men to make informed reproductive health choices. The UK's updated AIDS strategy Achieving Universal Access - the UK's strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the developing world emphasises the importance of integration of sexual and reproductive health and rights with actions to prevent new HIV and AIDS infections.
	DFID is a strong supporter of the work of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) providing core support of 7.5 million per annum. We will also provide a total of 100 million between 2008-13 to support the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) Global Programme to Enhance Reproductive Health Commodity Security. This will benefit the sexual and reproductive health needs of women and men in developing countries including access to life saving drugs and equipment to improve maternal health.
	A copy of the updated strategy Achieving Universal Access - the UK's strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the developing world and supporting evidence paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. These are also available on the Department for International Development (DFID) website at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk

Developing Countries: Maternal Mortality

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent steps the Government has taken to reduce the numbers of women dying during childbirth in developing countries.

Gillian Merron: The Department for International Development (DFID) set out its priorities for action to improve maternal health in its 2004 strategy Reducing maternal deaths: evidence and action. This strategy guides DFID's approach to helping developing countries to improve the availability of and access to life saving services for pregnant women.
	Progress on strengthening health systems in poor countries is also vital if we are to accelerate progress towards achieving the maternal health millennium development goal. This is why, along with other UN health agencies and a wide range of donors and country partners, DFID has championed the International Health Partnership designed to strengthen health systems and improve in-country donor co-ordination.
	On 2 June, the UK Government's updated seven-year AIDS strategy Achieving Universal Access - the UK's strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the developing world was launched. This made several new financial commitments which included 6 billion over seven years to strengthen health systems and 200 million over three years to support social protection programmes.
	A copy of the updated strategy Achieving Universal Access - the UK's strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the developing world and supporting evidence paper have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses. These are also available on the Department for International Development (DFID) website at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk
	DFID also produces an annual report of its maternal health strategy Reducing maternal deaths: evidence and action. The third progress report is now available on DFID's website at:
	www.dfid.gov.uk/pubs/files/maternal-health-strategy-report3.pdf
	It includes a comprehensive assessment of DFID's actions, in partnership with developing country governments and with international organisations to reduce the number of women dying during childbirth in developing countries.

G8: Overseas Aid

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment his Department has made of whether G8 countries will achieve the 2010 commitment of $50 billion in extra annual development assistance.

Gareth Thomas: The Gleneagles Summit Communique estimated that annual Official Development Assistance (ODA) from all donors would increase by $50 billion, and ODA to Africa would increase by $25 billion, between 2004 and 2010. Over 90 per cent. of the additional ODA is committed by EU countries, who strongly reaffirmed their commitments at the European Council on 20 June. The G8 has also reconfirmed their commitments to these targets in the Tokyo Communique of 8 July.

International Development Association

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps were taken by the UK in order to secure the World Bank International Development Association's policy changes in 2007.

Douglas Alexander: The changes to the policies of the International Development Association were unanimously agreed by over 50 delegates. The UK is satisfied with the outcomes which we believe will improve the World Bank's effectiveness in helping to reduce poverty, tackle climate change and achieve the millennium development goals in the world's poorest countries. Our satisfaction with the outcomes is reflected in the size of our contribution.

Overseas Aid

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who will represent the UK at  (a) the Millennium Development Goals meeting called by the UN Secretary General for September,  (b) the Ghana Aid Summit in September and  (c) the Financing for Development Conference in Doha in November.

Douglas Alexander: The Prime Minister plans to represent the UK at the Millennium Development Goals meeting called by the UN Secretary General for 25 September. To date Ministers have not decided on attendance for the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness nor for the Doha Financing for Development Review Conference.

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what increased resources will be used to reward improved institutional performance, as referred to in his Department's latest departmental report.

Douglas Alexander: Creating an effective international system is a priority for the Department for International Development (DFID). DFID has performance frameworks in place with 36 of our multilateral partners. These set out specific measurable goals and targets against which to monitor performance. DFID is increasingly using financial incentives, either as a positive incentive or as a sanction, in support of these performance management arrangements. To date, DFID has used performance related funding to encourage IDA, Regional Development Banks and UN agencies to address specific areas of poor performance.
	For example, DFID recently concluded an innovative five-year agreement with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), creating incentives for UNRWA to deliver on its own efficiency targets. DFID adopted a multi-year funding strategy to encourage reform and reward good performance and put in place an additional 2 million performance contribution for financial years 2008-09 and 2009-10, a 3 million performance contribution for years 2010-11, and 3.4 million for the final year of the arrangement.

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department takes when it judges that an institution of government in a country receiving direct or indirect funding from his Department is performing inadequately on that funding.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development's (DFID) policy is that funding is only given to partner governments who share our commitment to (i) poverty reduction and achieving the MDG's (ii) human rights and other international obligations and (iii) improving public financial management and accountability.
	If we doubt the partner government's commitment to any of these issues, then we reassess if funding is appropriate. If necessary, we may reduce or suspend aid, or deliver in a different way.
	Examples of where funding has been suspended due to a breach in commitments to uphold human rights include in Pakistan where the state of emergency called in November 2007 meant suspension of certain human rights in the constitution. We suspended budget support. A second example is Kenya where we suspended all payments to the government following the disputed presidential election in December 2007.

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which civil society organisations received funding under partnership programme agreements in 2006-07; what the expertise of each is; and what their specific subject areas are.

Douglas Alexander: The following civil society organisations received funding under partnership programme arrangements in 2006-07: ActionAid; Action on Disability in Development; Aga Khan Foundation UK; International HIV/AIDS Alliance; Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD); CARE International UK; Christian Aid; Ethical Trading Initiative; HelpAge International; International Institute for Environment and Development; Islamic Relief Worldwide; International Service; Overseas Development Institute; One World Action; Oxfam; Panos Institute; Plan International UK; Practical Action; Progressio; Save the Children UK; Skillshare International; Transparency International; Voluntary Service Overseas; Water Aid; World Vision; WWF-UK.
	The areas of expertise of these organisations and subject areas of the partnership programme arrangements are detailed on the Department for International Development's external website at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/DFIDwork/ppas/partnerprogagreements.asp

Personal Injury

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the highest 10 payments made by his Department in settlement of personal injury claims brought against it were over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of those cases were  (a) contested and  (b) uncontested by the Department; and what the nature of the incident was in each case.

Shahid Malik: The Department for International Development has settled no personal injury claims in the last 12 months.